Drapery rings and system

Abstract

A drapery support rod system is presented having a drapery support rod connected to a structure by a pair of brackets. Rings positioned around the drapery support rod are used to connect shade material to the drapery support rod. The rings have an upper end with an interior surface that is configured to fit closely around the exterior surface of the drapery support rod in a manner configured to facilitate smoother and quieter travel of the rings across the surface of the drapery support rod. When viewed from the sides, the rings have an oval shape that is elongated between an upper end and a lower end. The oval shape has a first diameter at the upper end and having a second diameter at the lower end that is larger than the first diameter.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A drapery system, comprising;
 a ring;   the ring having an upper end, a lower end, a front end, a rear end, and opposing sides;   the ring having an exterior surface and an interior surface;   when viewed from one of the opposing sides, the ring having a generally oval shape that is elongated between the upper end and the lower end; and   wherein the oval shape includes a first circular segment positioned at the upper end;   wherein the oval shape includes a second circular segment positioned at the lower end;   the interior surface having a first diameter at the first circular segment and having a second diameter at the second circular segment;   wherein the second diameter is larger than the first diameter;   a drapery support rod;   the drapery support rod having an exterior surface;   wherein the exterior surface of the drapery support rod is generally cylindrical in shape;   wherein the exterior surface of the drapery support rod has an exterior diameter corresponding in size with the first diameter of the ring; and   wherein when the drapery support rod is rotated, the ring slides along the exterior surface of the rotating drapery support rod.   
     
     
         2 . The drapery system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the drapery support rod includes a helical guide structure on the exterior surface of the drapery support rod;   the interior surface of the ring includes one or more guide members configured to engage with the helical guide structure in a manner causing the ring to move a shade material laterally to a closed position in response to rotation of the drapery support rod in a first direction; and move the shade material lateral to an open position in response to rotation of the drapery support rod in a second direction.   
     
     
         3 . The drapery system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 the drapery support rod includes a helical guide structure on the exterior surface of the drapery support rod;   the interior surface of the ring includes at least one tooth that extends from the interior surface of the ring and engages the helical guide structure of the exterior surface of the drapery support rod.   
     
     
         4 . The drapery system of  claim 1 , wherein the second circular segment is wider than the first circular segment. 
     
     
         5 . The drapery system of  claim 1 , wherein the upper end of the ring is configured so the interior surface contacts less than half of a circumference of the drapery support rod; thereby reducing friction when the drapery support rod is rotated. 
     
     
         6 . The drapery system of  claim 1 , wherein the larger second diameter of the lower end of the ring facilitates manually movement of a drapery connected to the ring, when the drapery of pulled by a user, by permitting the ring to tilt in the direction of the pulling. 
     
     
         7 . The drapery system of  claim 1 , wherein engagement between the interior surface of the ring in the upper end of the ring and an exterior of the drapery support rod is configured to prevent the ring from rotating about a vertical axis when the drapery support rod is rotated. 
     
     
         8 . The drapery system of  claim 1 , wherein the ring includes:
 an exterior member; and   an interior member;   wherein the interior member is configured to fit within the exterior member;   wherein the interior member is configured to connect with the exterior member.   
     
     
         9 . The drapery system of  claim 1 , wherein the ring includes:
 an exterior member; and   an interior member;   the exterior member is formed from a first material; and   the interior member is formed from a second material different from the first material.   
     
     
         10 . The drapery system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the ring includes an attachment member;   the attachment member includes a loop member configured and arranged for connecting to a drapery pin.   
     
     
         11 . The drapery system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the ring includes an attachment member;   the attachment member includes a loop member configured and arranged for aligning a drapery pin with a center of the ring.   
     
     
         12 . The drapery system of  claim 1 , wherein
 the ring has an attachment member;   the attachment member has a left channel and a right channel;   the left channel and right channel configured to receive a drapery pin;   wherein when the drapery pin is positioned within the left channel the drapery pin is held in a generally left-angled alignment to the center axis of the ring;   wherein when the drapery pin is positioned within the right channel the drapery pin is held in a generally right-angled alignment to the center axis of the ring.   
     
     
         13 . The drapery system of  claim 1 , further comprising a connection member connected to the ring, the connection member configured to receive a lead that is configured to space the ring from adjacent rings. 
     
     
         14 . A drapery system, comprising;
 a ring;   the ring having an upper end, a lower end, a front end, a rear end, and opposing sides;   the ring having an exterior surface and an interior surface;   a drapery support rod;   the drapery support rod having a generally cylindrical exterior surface;   the drapery support rod includes a helical guide structure on the exterior surface of the drapery support rod;   wherein the interior surface of the ring includes at least one tooth that extends from the interior surface of the ring and engages the helical guide structure of the exterior surface of the drapery support rod;   wherein when the drapery support rod is rotated, the ring slides along the exterior surface of the rotating drapery support rod;   a connection member connected to the ring;   wherein the connection member configured to receive a lead that is configured to space the ring from adjacent rings at spaced intervals;   wherein the exterior surface of the ring, when viewed from one of the opposing sides, has a non-circular shape that is elongated between the upper end and the lower end; and   the non-circular shape having an upper segment at the upper end, a lower segment at the lower end, and a pair of side segments respectively extending between the upper segment and the lower segment;   wherein the upper segment has a first radius of curvature;   wherein the lower segment has a second radius of curvature that is larger than the first radius of curvature;   wherein the pair of side segments have a third radius of curvature that is larger than the second radius of curvature.   
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the lead is a beaded chain, and the connection member is capable of connecting with leads having beads of varying sizes. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the connection member is formed of a flexible arm extending from a lower end to an upper end;
 wherein the lower end of the flexible arm is operably connected to the ring;   wherein a gap is positioned between the flexible arm and the ring;   wherein the gap widens as the flexible arm extends from the lower end to the upper end of the flexible arm.   
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the connection member is formed of a flexible arm extending from a lower end to an upper end;
 wherein the lower end of the flexible arm is operably connected to the ring;   wherein a gap is positioned between the flexible arm and the ring;   a plurality of recesses positioned in the gap, wherein the recesses are configured to receive and hold the lead.   
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the connection member is formed of a flexible arm extending from a lower end to an upper end;
 wherein the lower end of the flexible arm is operably connected to the ring;   wherein a gap is positioned between the flexible arm and the ring;   a plurality of recesses positioned in the gap, wherein the recesses are configured to receive and hold beads of the lead.   
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the connection member is formed of a flexible arm extending from a lower end to an upper end;
 wherein the lower end of the flexible arm is operably connected to the ring;   wherein a gap is positioned between the flexible arm and the ring;   a plurality of recesses positioned in the gap, wherein the recesses are configured to receive and hold beads of the lead;   wherein the plurality of recesses have a plurality of different sizes to facilitate the connection member receiving and holding leads of different diameters.   
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the connection member is formed of a flexible arm extending from a lower end to an upper end;
 wherein the lower end of the flexible arm is operably connected to the ring;   wherein a gap is positioned between the flexible arm and the ring;   a plurality of recesses positioned in the gap, wherein the recesses are configured to receive and hold beads of the lead;   wherein the gap widens as the flexible arm extends from the lower end to the upper end of the flexible arm;   wherein the plurality of recesses are aligned with the flexible arm and increase in size as the flexible arm extends from the lower end to the upper end.   
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the lead is a beaded chain having a plurality of beads spaced at intervals.