EP0122358A2

EP0122358A2 - A supporting structure, of the hollow rail type, for string drawn curtains

Info

Publication number: EP0122358A2
Application number: EP83830203A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Ettore Arquati
Original assignee: ARQUATI SpA
Current assignee: ARQUATI SpA
Priority date: 1983-04-07
Filing date: 1983-10-17
Publication date: 1984-10-24
Also published as: NO160899B; ES275812Y; GR79436B; EP0122358A3; ES275812U; NO840173L; IT8321449V0; CA1241266A; NO160899C

Abstract

The supporting structure comprises a sectional member (1) formed, at the bottom thereof, with hollow shaped seat (2) for retention of runners (3) and sliding movements, in separate guides, of two lengths of the curtain control string (7), and having atthetop a laterally open seat (9) defined by a flat wing and a slightly crowned wing defining, in cooperation with the edge of a front rib, a retention dog (11) for a supporting plate (13) having a grooved elastic tab (12), the sectional member being arranged to cooperate with two box-like bodies (16), each carrying at least one pair of deflector rollers (17).

Description

This invention relates to a supporting structure of the hollow rail type for string drawn curtains.
As is known, there exist various types of curtain supporting or hanging arrangements which allow a curtain to be drawn by a simple manual operation, or alternatively, by pulling on a string set up to cooperate with deflector pulleys incorporated to the supporting arrangement itself.
Of such prior arrangements, those of the hollow rail type comprise sectional members with varying cross-sectional configurations, to the interior whereof curtain hanger members, generally called "runners", are secured for a sliding movement.
Of course, in the instance of string drawn curtains, two runs of one looped string length would be accommodated within the sectional member which are adapted to draw in opposite directions two curtain side cloths.
With the sectional members traditionally used for the purpose, the two string runs, owing to their running virtually in mutual contact, are liable to interfere with each other, thus hindering the proper operation of the curtain.
Further, with the commercially available supporting structures of the hollow rail type, it is not possible, unless the arrangement of the deflector pulleys is preliminarly reversed, to change the direction of downward movement of the string runs which control the two cloths.
It should also be considered that the sectional members used heretofore for a traverse rod often pose difficulties of a practical nature for their attachment to supports previously installed on the walls.
It is a primary object of this invention to obviate such prior deficiencies by providing a supporting structure for string drawn curtains, of the hollow rail construction type, which can allow, in a simple and ready manner.and without involving alterations of the structure itself, the hanging position of the control string to be changed.
Another object of this invention is to provide a supporting structure for string drawn curtains, of the hollow rail type, which is constructed to simplify its attachment to special plates previously secured to supporting brackets affixed to the wall.
It is a further object of this invention to provide a supporting structure for string drawn curtains, of the hollow rail type, which may be conveniently bowed as required, without undergoing any undesired deformations.
Yet another object of this invention is to provide a supporting structure for string drawn curtains, of the hollow rail type, which is constructed to prevent the string lengths which run on the inside thereof from contacting each other and the curtain runners.
These and other objects, such as will be apparent hereinafter, are achieved by a supporting structure for string drawn curtains, of the hollow rail type, according to the invention, characterized in that it comprises a sectional member formed at the bottom thereof with a shaped hollow seat for retaining the curtain runners and slidably accommodating, within separate seats, the two runs of the curtain control string, and having at the top a sideways open seat defined by a flat wing and a slightly crowned wing to form, in cooperation with the edge of a front rib, a retaining dog for a supporting plate having a grooved elastic tab; with said sectional member there cooperating two box-like bodies, each carrying at least one pair of deflector rollers.
In particular, that-portion, or those portions, of the sectional member which extend beyond said box-like bodies are provided with an end element, arranged to be stably force fitted thereon and comprising in essence a hollow body having a removable bottom wall.
With the above construction, it becomes possible to add or remove runners to/from said extended sectional member portions without the end elements which complete them having to be removed.
Further features and advantages of the supporting structure for string drawn -curtains according to this invention will be more clearly understood by making reference to the following description of a preferred embodiment thereof, to be taken in conjunction with the accompanying illustrative drawing , where:

Figure 1 is a cutaway perspective view showing diagramatically this supporting structure with one end bent to an arc of a circle and the other end formed by a segment of a sectional member secured on the structure by means of an elbow connective;
Figure 2 shows a cross-section through the sectional member which forms this structure, with one supporting plate attached thereto;
Figure 3 is a bottom plan view of said supporting plate;
Figure 4 is a top plan view of the removable wall which closes the bottom of said end element;
Figure 5 is a vertical sectional view of said end element; and
Figure 6 is a top plan view of that same end element, with the cited bottom closure wall removed.

making reference to the numerals used in the various views of the drawing, this supporting structure for string drawn curtains comprises a sectional member 1 having a suitably selected cross-section configuration and being formed from a light alloy and adapted to be bent.to a curve without undergoing any substantial deformation phenomena, thereby it can be readily adjusted to meet specific application requirements.
More specifically, said sectional member includes, at the bottom portion thereof, a hollow seat 2 for retention of the runners 3 provided with a pair of wheels 4 and a small ring 5.
In particular at the upper portion of said hollow seat, there are formed at opposed lateral locations two channel-like guides 6 which are partly open downwards. Such channel-like guides serve as sliding seats for the two runs of the control string 7, to prevent the string runs from interfering with each other and with their runners. Formed at the top portion of the sectional member 1, as by means of a horizontal wing 8, is a laterally open seat 9 which has, located at the bottom edge of the opening, a dog 10 slightly protruding upwardly.
That dog is adapted to engage with a groove 11 formed cross-wise on a tab 12 which is cantilevered from a plate 13 adapted for snap engagement into the upper seat 9 and being provided with stop projections 14.
The plate itself, moreover, is constructed to connect firmly to a bracket support 15, of any desired description, which is previously affixed to the wall.
Two box-like bodies 16 cooperate with the sectional member 1 which are secured to the ends of the sectional member and carry two roller pairs 17 with mutually parallel axes, the inboard pair acting as a mere support for the two string runs, whereas the other functions as a string deflecting pair.
With this construction, it becomes possible to lead down the string lengths for controlling the curtain movements to either end of the sectional member without this involving a change in the relative locations of the rollers and string themselves.
In particular, and as shown in Figure 1, one of said box-like bodies may be shaped to form an elbow piece with a right-angle lug 16' to which an additional portion 1' of appropriate length of the sectional member 1 may be connected and secured.
In that embodiment, the sectional member portion 1' would be completed, at the end thereof, with an end element 18 being a pressure fit on the end itself.
Said end element comprises a hollow body, the wall whereof which adjoins the sectional member is provided with a projecting edge 19 and with a tab 20 adapted for insertion and retention in the top seat 9 of the sectional member. Further, an opening 21 is provided which is sized to allow the runners 3 therethrough.
The hollow body defines at the bottom, on three sides thereof, a small frame having a wing 22 formed on one side, and on the opposed, open side, two lugs 23 protruding inwardly.
Connected to said frame is a wall 24 having, formed on one side, a groove 25 adapted to overlie said wing 22 and carrying a shaped plate 26 journalled thereto.
The latter plate may be rotated by means of the ring 27 such that its edge can bear or not on said protruding lugs 23.
In actual practice, by releasing said plate from the lugs 23, the end element 18 may be opened at the bottom, as shown in Figure 1, to enable the addition or removal of runners to/from the sectional member 1' without requiring itself to be removed.
Along the two lengths of string 7, of course, it is contemplated that as many entrainment carriages 28 be secured, whereto shaped guides 29 are attached to permit the two cloths of the curtain to overlap each other.
It may be appreciated from the foregoing description, as well as from an observation of the various views of the accompanying drawing, that this supporting structure for string drawn curtains, of the hollow rail type, affords evident features of functionality and convenience in use.

Claims

1. A supporting structure for string drawn curtains, of the hollow rail type, characterized in that it comprises a sectional member (1) formed at the bottom thereof with a shaped hollow seat (2) for retaining the curtain runners (3) and slidably accommodating, within separate seats, the two runs of the curtain control string (7), and having at the top a sideways open seat (9) defined by a flat wing and a slightly crowned wing to form, in cooperation with the edge of a front rib, a retaining dog (11) for a supporting plate (13) having a grooved elastic tab (12); with said sectional member there cooperating two box-like bodies (16), each carrying at least one pair of deflector rollers (17).

2. A supporting structure for string drawn curtains, according to the preceding claim and characterized in that the hollow cross-section seat (2) of said sectional member (1) comprises a lower seat for retaining said runners (3) which are provided with a wheel pair (4) and a small ring (5), while at the upper portion thereof, it has two channel-like guides (6), partly open downwardly and formed at opposite locations.

3. A supporting structure for string drawn curtains, according to Claim 1 and characterized in that said supporting plate (13) is provided with stop projections (14) and is configured for firm connection to a bracket support (15) previously affixed to a wall.

4. A supporting structure for string drawn curtains, according to Claim 1 and characterized in that said two box-like bodies (16) carry two roller pairs (17) with mutually parallel axes, the inboard pair functioning as a mere support for the two control string runs (7), whereas the other pair is a deflector pair therefor.

5. A supporting structure for string drawn curtains, according to Claim 1 and characterized in that one of said box-like bodies (16) is fashioned as an elbow connective having a right angle lug (16') whereto a second sectional member portion (1') of a suitable length and completed with an end element (18) at the end thereof, adapted for press-fit application on said end, may be attached and secured.

6. A supporting structure for string drawn curtains, according to Claim 5 and characterized in that said end element (18) comprises a hollow body whose wall attached to said sectional member is provided with a protruding edge (19) and a tab (20) adapted for tight insertion into the top seat (9) of said sectional member, there being further provided a bottom opening (21) sized to admit said runners (3) therethrough.

7. A supporting structure for string drawn curtains, according to Claim 6 and characterized in that said hollow body (18) defines at the bottom, along three sides, a small frame provided, on one side thereof, with a wing (22), and at the opposite open side, with two lugs (23) projecting inwardly, with said small frame there being connected a small wall (24) having, on one side thereof, a groove (25) adapted to overlap said wing (22) and having journalled thereon a shaped small plate (26) adapted to be rotated via a small ring (27).

8. A supporting structure for string drawn curtains, according to Claim 1 and characterized in that said sectional member is formed from a light alloy and adapted to be conveniently bowed without any substantial deformation phenomena.