Curtain pleat separator

Abstract

The present invention include a method and a system for separating curtain pleats in an aesthetically pleasing manner including placing at least one sheath, including one or more spacer units, on a curtain rod between two curtain hangers, where the sheath is slidingly movable along the rod. Multiple sheaths may be used on a rod and snap-fit on to the rod. Placing the sheath(s) on the rod after installation of the curtain is preferred. The sheath(s) may be sized to the desired length. The system includes at least one sheath, including at least one spacer unit, is capable of being sized to length and snap-fit to a curtain rod between two curtain hangers.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A method of separating curtain pleats, comprising:
 placing at least one sheath, including one or more spacer units, on a curtain rod between two curtain hangers, wherein the at least one sheath is slidingly movable along the curtain rod.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising placing at least one sheath on a curtain rod between a plurality of sets of two curtain hangers so that at least two sheaths have been placed on the curtain rod. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the placing step comprises snap-fitting the at least one sheath onto the curtain rod. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the placing step occurs after the curtain hangers are attached to the curtain rod. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the placing step occurs before the curtain hangers are attached to the curtain rod. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the at least one sheath is a non-sleeve type sheath. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6  wherein the at least one sheath has a horseshoe shaped cross section. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising sizing the at least one sheath to length. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8  wherein sizing the at least one sheath to length includes removing one or more spacer units from the at least one sheath or adding one or more spacer units to the at least one sheath. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the sizing step comprises dividing a single sheath into a plurality of sheaths, each having one or more spacer units. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the sizing step occurs before the placing step. 
     
     
         12 . A system for separating pleats of a curtain in an aesthetically pleasing manner, comprising:
 at least one sheath, including at least one spacer unit, is capable of being sized to length and snap-fit to a curtain rod between two curtain hangers.   
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12  further comprising a plurality of sheaths capable of being snap-fit to a curtain rod between two curtain hangers, wherein each sheath is located between two curtain hangers. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13  wherein a single sheath, including a plurality of spacer units, is capable of being divided into a plurality of sheaths, each with one or more spacer units. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14  wherein the single sheath is divided into a plurality of sheaths prior to installation on a curtain rod. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 14  wherein the plurality of spacer units are separable from each other by markings or perforations on the sheath. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 12  wherein the at least one sheath or at least one space unit has an outer diameter larger than the inner diameter of a curtain hanger that is a grommet. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17  wherein the at least one sheath or at least one space unit comprises an end ridge. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 12  wherein the sheath has a U shaped cross section.