EP0452227B1 - Device for gathering and paying-out of a string - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device for gathering and paying-out of a string, for example a sliding device for a curtain. The device according to the invention comprises a linear extension guide rail (3) delimiting a displacement section (4a) of the curtain, and a section (4b) for storage or gathering-up of the same curtain, a plurality of suspension carriages (5) mounted freely in translation relative to the rails (3), a pulling strip (10), as well as reversible attachment means (10b, 14a) for the various carriages (50), so as to couple the latter in translation with the pulling strip (10) on closure of the curtain. The invention may also be applied to the field of decoration, display, etc. <IMAGE>

Description

The present invention relates to a device for unfolding and folding over itself a threadlike link, to which is linked at least one vertical extension part.

By "threadlike link" is meant any elongated element, of the wire, ribbon, strap or border type, etc., having a relative flexibility or suppleness depending on its length, which makes it possible to pick up its linear size by folding over it. -same, for example according to a zig-zag conformation.

By "vertical extension piece" is meant any element extending vertically downwards, linked in one way or another to the filiform link, for example suspended from the latter, at one or more places regularly distributed according to the length of the threadlike link. This piece can be an isolated element falling down, as it can be a flexible continuous wall of horizontal extension, of the fabric, fabric, curtain, panel or sheet type, capable of being picked up on itself by folding.

The present invention is now introduced and explained with respect to the field of curtain sliding devices, with unfolding and folding of the latter, it being understood that the definition of the invention established by the appended claims covers many other fields. applicable, within the limits of the general definitions set out above.

With regard to the sliding of a curtain, the filiform link previously introduced consists of the upper edge of said curtain, for example folded and sewn on itself, or in an attached ribbon or strap, for example by sewing, on the upper edge of the curtain. And the vertical extension piece, also introduced previously, in this case consists of the curtain itself.

• un rail de guidage, d'extension linéraire droite et/ou courbe, plein ou creux ; ce rail comporte de manière intégrée, à l'extérieur ou a l'intérieur, une ou plusieurs glissières parallèles, superposées ou adjacentes, pour la circulation du rideau ; et chaque glissière de circulation comprend au moins une section de dépliement du rideau, et au moins une section de repliement du rideau
• une pluralité de chariots suspendeurs, montés libres en translation par rapport au rail de guidage ; chaque chariot comporte des moyens de roulement, par exemple un ou plusieurs galets, engagés dans une ou plusieurs glissières de circulation du rail de guidage, ainsi qu'un moyen d'accrochage, par exemple un crochet pour la suspension du rideau au niveau dudit chariot, par sa bordure supérieure ou un ruban rapporté
• une boucle de tirage, du type cordon ; cette boucle passe pour une partie sur des poulies supportées en rotation par le rail de guidage, par exemple, respectivement par deux poulies à axe horizontal situées dans un embout de tirage, et par une poulie de renvoi à plat située dans un embout de renvoi, ces deux embouts étant emboîtés aux deux extrémités du rail de guidage respectivement ; cette boucle passe pour sa partie restante à l'extérieur du rail de guidage, par exemple autour d'une poulie de tension, pour définir une section de commande de la boucle de tirage ; pour sa partie située sur le rail de guidage, la boucle de tirage est en général guidée par cette dernière ; par ailleurs, cette boucle de tirage comporte un ou plusieurs brins moteurs, en particulier selon le type de fermeture recherchée, par exemple simple ou avec croisement, et chaque brin moteur est solidarisé en translation avec l'un des chariots suspendeurs, lequel sera alors conducteur, en ce sens que c'est lui qui va, à l'ouverture du rideau tirer un à un les autres chariots suspendeurs dans la section de dépliement du rail de guidage, et à la fermeture du rideau repousser les uns contre les autres ces mêmes chariots, dans la section de repliement du rail de guidage, tout ceci par l'intermédiaire du rideau lui-même ou du ruban rapporté en tête de ce dernier.

The most commonly used curtain sliding device, known as a "railroad", generally includes:

• a guide rail, straight linear extension and / or curved, solid or hollow; this rail comprises in an integrated manner, outside or inside, one or more parallel slides, superimposed or adjacent, for the circulation of the curtain; and each circulation slide comprises at least one section for unfolding the curtain, and at least one section for folding the curtain
• a plurality of suspension carriages, mounted free in translation relative to the guide rail; each carriage comprises rolling means, for example one or more rollers, engaged in one or more guideways for circulation of the guide rail, as well as a hooking means, for example a hook for hanging the curtain at the level of said carriage , by its upper border or an attached ribbon
• a draw loop, of the cord type; this loop partly passes over pulleys supported in rotation by the guide rail, for example, respectively by two pulleys with a horizontal axis located in a pulling end piece, and by a flat return pulley located in a return end piece, these two end pieces being fitted at the two ends of the guide rail respectively; this loop passes for its remaining part outside the guide rail, for example around a tension pulley, to define a control section of the pulling loop; for its part located on the guide rail, the pulling loop is generally guided by the latter; in addition, this pulling loop comprises one or more motor strands, in particular depending on the type of closure sought, for example simple or with crossing, and each motor strand is secured in translation with one of the suspending carriages, which will then be conductive , in the sense that it is he who will, at the opening of the curtain pull one by one the other suspension carriages in the unfolding section of the guide rail, and at the closing of the curtain push against each other these same trolleys, in the folding section of the guide rail, all this via the curtain itself or the ribbon attached to the head of the latter.

A device as previously described has the following drawbacks.

• sur la sangle rapportée en tête du rideau, ou sur la bordure supérieure de ce dernier
• sur l'accrochage ou solidarisation en translation de chaque chariot conducteur avec la boucle de tirage
• sur la suspension ou l'accrochage du rideau sur le chariot conducteur.

It is through the curtain, and more precisely the strap attached to the latter, or its upper edge, that one by one the suspension carriages move, both in the direction of unfolding and in the other direction of folding the curtain. In particular, when the curtain is closed, all of the movement of moving the curtain rests:

• on the strap attached to the top of the curtain, or on the upper edge of the latter
• on the attachment or securing in translation of each conductive carriage with the pulling loop
• on the hanging or hanging of the curtain on the carriage driver.

If one of these elements breaks, then no more operation of the curtain is possible. Now precisely, for curtains of considerable length, or relatively heavy curtains, such as curtains for theatrical stages, the displacement effort can become significant, for example if the draw loop is motorized, to the point that ruptures of the elements above mentioned actually meet in practice.

These displacement forces are further increased, when the guide rail has curves, generating friction or even blockages of the suspending carriages, relative to their circulation slides.

For a device of the "railroad" type as previously described and discussed, the present invention relates to a solution making it possible to distribute the displacement effort of the curtain, over its entire upper edge, both at opening and at closing the curtain.

• dans le sens du dépliement, l'accouplement en translation dudit chariot mené avec la boucle de tirage, lorsque ledit chariot mené est tiré par le lien filiforme, par exemple la bordure supérieure du rideau
• dans l'autre sens du repliement, un désaccouplement dudit chariot mené par rapport à la boucle de tirage, lorsque ledit chariot arrive dans la section de massage de la glissière de circulation.

In accordance with the present invention, at least one suspension trolley other than the conductive trolley, known as the driven trolley, and / or the motor strand of the pulling loop comprise reversible hooking means of said driven trolley on said motor strand, ensuring:

• in the unfolding direction, the translational coupling of said led carriage with the pulling loop, when said led carriage is pulled by the filiform link, for example the upper edge of the curtain
• in the other direction of folding, uncoupling of said carriage driven relative to the pulling loop, when said carriage arrives in the massage section of the circulation slide.

Consequently, by applying the principle of the invention to all the suspension trolleys, each of these is found to be driven, like the conductive trolley, by the pulling loop, both in the direction of unfolding and in the direction of folding back , for example both in the closing direction and the opening of the curtain. Thus, at the opening of a curtain, each carriage is pulled by the motor strand of the pulling loop, and not by the curtain itself.

The present invention further provides the following critical advantages.

The filiform link, in this case the upper edge of the curtain, being driven at points regularly distributed along its length, it becomes possible to produce devices with curved guide rail. These convex or concave zones can be passed without difficulty by each suspension trolley.

By providing for the same circulation slide two folding sections separated by a single unfolding section, and an attachment-detachment of the carriages led at each junction between a folding section and an unfolding section, it becomes possible to open a curtain and store it opposite of its starting point. And in the unfolding section, the curtain will be moved evenly, almost straight and flat, giving the impression of a scroll. Such a possibility appears particularly advantageous for display devices.

• les figures 1 et 2 représentent de manière schématique, en coupe horizontale, un dispositif pour déplier et replier un rideau, conforme à la présente invention, respectivement dans la position d'ouverture du rideau, et dans la position de fermeture de ce dernier
• la figure 3 représente à échelle agrandie, une vue de dessus d'un dispositif selon l'invention, avec arrachement en coupe horizontale, selon la ligne III.III de la figure 4 du profilé de maintien et de la boucle de tirage du dispositif selon l'invention
• la figure 4 représente une vue en coupe verticale, selon la ligne IV.IV de la figure 3, du rail de guidage du dispositif selon l'invention, sur lequel est engagé un chariot suspendeur appartenant à ce dernier
• la figure 5 représente une vue avant du dispositif selon l'invention représenté à la figure 3
• la figure 6 représente, de manière similaire à la figure 4, une vue en coupe verticale d'un autre dispositif conforme à l'invention
• la figure 7 représente une vue avant du dispositif représenté à la figure 6.

Still in the field of curtains, the present invention is now described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

• Figures 1 and 2 show schematically, in horizontal section, a device for unfolding and folding a curtain, according to the present invention, respectively in the open position of the curtain, and in the closed position of the latter
• 3 shows on an enlarged scale, a top view of a device according to the invention, with cutaway in horizontal section, along line III.III of Figure 4 of the holding profile and the pulling loop of the device according to the invention
• 4 shows a vertical sectional view, along line IV.IV of Figure 3, of the guide rail of the device according to the invention, on which is engaged a suspension carriage belonging to the latter
• Figure 5 shows a front view of the device according to the invention shown in Figure 3
• Figure 6 shows, similarly to Figure 4, a vertical sectional view of another device according to the invention
• FIG. 7 represents a front view of the device represented in FIG. 6.

In accordance with FIGS. 1 and 2, a device according to the invention, for opening and closing a stage curtain for example, is arranged or fixed, in a manner not shown, between two vertical walls 24 and 25. This device ensures the opening and closing of a curtain 2, in a bay between two front panels 26 and 27.

• un rail de guidage 3, d'extension linéaire droite, constitué éventuellement de plusieurs éléments assemblés les uns aux autres, avec ou sans raccord, ce rail de guidage est plus particulièrement détaillé aux figures 3 et 4 ; ce rail comprend, d'une part une section de dépliement du rideau, dans le sens du dépliement repéré par la flèche 15, dans la baie entre les panneaux 26 et 27, et d'autre part, une section de repliement du rideau, dans le sens du repliement repéré par la flèche 16, derrière le panneau 27
• une pluralité de chariots suspendeurs 5, montés libres en translation par rapport aux rails 3 de guidage
• une boucle de tirage 10, représentée par un trait pointillé aux figures 1 et 2, passant sur des poulies 11 et 12 supportées en rotation par le rail de guidage 3, à savoir une poulie motrice 11 et une poulie menée 12 ; cette boucle 10 comporte un brin moteur 10a, adjacent de la section de dépliement du rail de guidage 3, et un brin de renvoi 10c situé de l'autre côté
• des moyens d'accrochage réversibles, décrits ci-après, et plus particulièrement constitués par les différentes perforations 10b de la boucle de tirage, et par différents pions d'accrochage 14a, appartenant aux différents chariots 5.

The device according to the invention, in accordance with FIGS. 1 to 5 comprises:

• a guide rail 3, of straight linear extension, consisting possibly of several elements assembled to each other, with or without connection, this guide rail is more particularly detailed in FIGS. 3 and 4; this rail comprises, on the one hand a section for unfolding the curtain, in the direction of unfolding identified by the arrow 15, in the opening between the panels 26 and 27, and on the other hand, a folding section for the curtain, in the direction of folding indicated by the arrow 16, behind the panel 27
• a plurality of suspension carriages 5, mounted free in translation relative to the guide rails 3
• a pulling loop 10, represented by a dotted line in Figures 1 and 2, passing on pulleys 11 and 12 rotatably supported by the guide rail 3, namely a driving pulley 11 and a driven pulley 12; this loop 10 comprises a motor strand 10a, adjacent to the unfolding section of the guide rail 3, and a return strand 10c located on the other side
• reversible attachment means, described below, and more particularly constituted by the various perforations 10b of the pulling loop, and by various attachment pins 14a, belonging to the various carriages 5.

The guide rail 3 comprises a single slide 4 for circulation of the carriages 5, comprising as previously an unfolding section 4a of the curtain, in unfolding or unfolding, and a folding section 4b of the same curtain, in folding or folded. The same rail 3 comprises a slide 13 for holding or guiding the pulling loop 10, arranged substantially at right angles to the circulation slide 4. Furthermore, the latter comprises two rolling paths 4a and 4b, arranged l 'one above the other, and directed in opposite cross-section; each raceway 4a or 4b, of "U" cross section has a strip or lining of elastic material 46, disposed on its bottom, and capable of damping the noise generated by the movement of the carriages 5.

As shown more particularly in Figure 4, the circulation slide 4 and the slide 13 for holding or guiding the strip 10 are in fact two sections respectively, assembled relative to each other at right angles. More specifically, the guide rail 3 is obtained by assembling modular sections 4, differentiated for the purposes of the description according to 41 and 42, and modular sections 13, also differentiated for the same purpose according to references 131 and 132. A profile 4 has a hollow core, determining on both sides the two raceways 4a and 4b with cross section in "U", a collar 4e being provided on the inside of said profile.

Each retaining profile 13 has a hollowed-out central core opening to the outside. On either side of this core are respectively provided a male stud 13a for attachment, and a female groove 13b also for attachment. On either side of the profile 13, between the stud 13a and the groove 13b, two notches facing each other are formed, each forming a guide path and holding the pulling loop 10.

The guide rail is obtained accordingly by assembling the two retaining sections 131 and 132, by clipping the stud of one into the groove of the other, by providing between them two interstices 19, in which are inserted and locked respectively. the circulation profiles 4, thanks to the collars 4e provided on the latter. The sections 132 and 42 have no role with respect to the device according to the invention, except to ensure and complete the assembly by clipping of the guide rail 3.

Such an embodiment of the guide rail makes it possible to obtain circulation slides and holding the pulling loop, much more precise. It is also much easier to make connections, securely, between different elements of a rail thus produced. Furthermore, when the pulling loop is traditionally constituted by a cord, the latter can be taken over its entire length in the recess of the retaining profile 13, which ensures good guidance, including when the rail 3 is curved.

Each suspension carriage 5 comprises three rolling rollers 6, 7 and 8, arranged in an equilateral triangle, and mounted by means of ball bearings on a spacer 20 external to the guide rail 3, having a planar shape in an equilateral triangle. Consequently, each carriage comprises, on one side two rollers, for example 6 and 7 for the carriage 50, located at the same level, and a roller, for example 8, located below, the height gap separating these two rolling levels being equal to the distance between the two rolling paths 4c and 4d.

Each suspension carriage 5 comprising, at its lower part, a hooking means or ring 9, is mounted on the guide rail 3, so as to grip the circulation slide 4. To this end, two rollers, for example 6 and 7 for the carriage 50, are arranged in the path upper bearing 4c, and the other roller, for example 8 for the carriage 50, is arranged in the other lower rolling path 4d. This gives mechanical and precise guidance, without pendulum movement, of each suspension carriage 5.

The different carriages 5 are also differentiated from each other, depending on the relative position of the hook 9. For carriages 50 and 52 for example, the hook 9 is integral with the spacer 20, below a roller 8; for the carriages 51 and 53, the hook 9 is secured to a straight edge of the spacer 20 between two rollers 6 and 7. This makes it possible to arrange the different carriages 5 in the relative "spade head" position, relative to the other. One thus obtains an interpenetration of the suspending carriages 5, contiguous in the folding section 4b, as shown in FIG. 5. In total, one can thus bring the hooking hooks 9 closer to one another, and thus limit the length of the folding section 4b, for the same curtain.

As also shown in FIG. 5, the hooks 9 serve for the suspension or connection with a ribbon 1, attached, for example by sewing on the upper edge of a curtain 2, which is then suspended by the ribbon 1.

• dans le sens du dépliement 15, d'accoupler en translation chaque chariot 5 avec la bande de tirage 10, lorsque le chariot considéré est tiré par le rideau 2 dans la section de dépliement 4a de la glissière de circulation 4 ; conférer figure 2
• et dans l'autre sens de repliement 16, de désaccoupler le chariot 5 considéré, par rapport à la bande de tirage, lorsque ce chariot arrive dans la section de repliement 4b de la glissière de circulation 4 ; conférer figure 1.

The pulling loop 10 consists of a flat strip comprising a plurality of perforations 10b regularly spaced from each other. This strip circulates endlessly around the pulleys 11 and 12, one driven and the other driven, while being guided over its entire travel in the groove 13e provided for this purpose on the section 13 of the guide rail 3. The means of reversible attachment of the various suspending carriages 5 consist in making the perforations 10b of the motor strand 10a of the pulling loop 10 cooperate, with a reversible attachment member provided on each carriage 5, this cooperation allowing:

• in the unfolding direction 15, to couple in translation each carriage 5 with the pulling strip 10, when the carriage in question is pulled by the curtain 2 in the unfolding section 4a of the circulation slide 4; confer figure 2
• and in the other folding direction 16, uncoupling the carriage 5 considered, with respect to the pulling strip, when this carriage arrives in the folding section 4b of the circulation slide 4; confer figure 1.

One of the suspension carriages 5, namely the carriage 50, is located permanently coupled to the pulling strip 10, including in its massage position according to FIG. 1, so that it plays the role of a conductive carriage. All the other carriages 5, for example 51, 52, 53 and 54, are hooked reversibly on the strip 10 by the general means described above, so that they play the role of driven carriages.

In practice, the attachment member of each carriage 50 is obtained in the following manner.

One of the rolling rollers of each carriage 5, for example the roller 6 for the carriage 50, or the roller 8 for the carriage 51, is mounted in rotation about an axis 14 free in translation, both with respect to to the aforementioned rollers, and with respect to the spacer 20. The internal end 14a of the axis 14 projects from the suspending carriage 5, in the direction of the pulling strip 10, and forms a latching pin. The other end 14b of the same axis 14, is returned to the pulling strip 10, by a return means 18 fixed on the carriage in question. This return means consists of an elastic metal blade, one end of which is fixed to the spacer 20, and the other end of which is secured to the external end 14b of the axis 14.

• le brin moteur 10a de la bande de tirage 10 s'étend de manière adjacente à la course des différents chariots 5, la jonction du brin moteur 10a et du brin de renvoi 10c, se situant dans une zone d'échappement 17, à la jonction entre la section de dépliement 4a et la section de repliement 4b de la glissière de circulation 4, au niveau de la poulie menée 12
• chaque chariot mené, par exemple 51, comporte donc un pion d'accrochage 14a, rappelé par le moyen de rappel 18, dans le sens du dépliement 15, dans une position d'accrochage correspondant à la pénétration du pion 14a dans une perforation 10b de la bande de tirage 10, le pion 14a échappant dans le sens du repliement 16 à la même perforation, lorsque cette dernière passe dans la zone d'échappement 17 de la bande de tirage 10.

For each suspension trolley 5, the reversible attachment means then operates as follows:

• the motor strand 10a of the pulling strip 10 extends adjacent to the travel of the different carriages 5, the junction of the motor strand 10a and the return strand 10c, being located in an exhaust zone 17, at the junction between the unfolding section 4a and the folding section 4b of the circulation slide 4, at the level of the driven pulley 12
• each driven carriage, for example 51, therefore comprises a latching pin 14a, returned by the return means 18, in the direction of unfolding 15, in a latching position corresponding to the penetration of the pin 14a in a perforation 10b of the pulling strip 10, the pin 14a escaping in the direction of folding back to the same perforation, when the latter passes through the exhaust zone 17 of the pulling strip 10.

• sur le profilé de circulation 4 deux chemins de roulement opposes, comme déjà montré par la figure 4
• sur le profilé de maintien 131, un guide pour la bande de tirage 10
• sur le profilé de maintien, un guide pour une bande ou bouche de commande 22, distincte de la boucle de tirage 10.

According to the embodiment according to Figures 6 and 7, the guide rail 3 is obtained by assembling three retaining sections 131, 132, and 133, and four circulation sections 41, 42, 43 and 44 so as to determine:

• on the circulation profile 4 two raceways opposite, as already shown in Figure 4
• a guide for the pulling strip 10 on the retaining section 131
• on the retaining profile, a guide for a control strip or mouth 22, separate from the pulling loop 10.

The suspending carriage considered, for example the carriage 54 is mounted on the circulation profile, in the manner already described with reference to FIG. 4, and comprises a hanger 30, for a driven mechanism 21, in this case a reel 23 of winding / unwinding of a wire 24 for lifting the suspended curtain 2. The mechanism 21, which acts on the part of the curtain 2 suspended locally on the carriage 54, is coupled to the control mouth 22, by means of teeth 23a meshing with perforations 22a of the strip 22. In a manner not shown, the control loop 22 passes at least in part over pulleys supported in rotation by the guide rail 3.

By a relative displacement in translation of the control loop 22 relative to the pulling loop 10, for example when the latter is stopped in translation while the second continues its movement, it is possible to drive or control the mechanism 21, in this case the rotation of the reels 23, to raise the curtain 2 locally.

In accordance with the invention, all other kinds of mechanisms can be envisaged, for example a mechanism making it possible to release the curtain at the level of a suspension trolley.

The present invention can be applied in many other technical fields than that of curtains, for example in the field of decoration, display, etc.

Claims (15)

1. Device for unfolding a filiform tie (1) and folding it up on itself, to which tie at least one piece (2) of vertical extension is connected, the device comprising:

   - a guide rail (3) of linear extension including at least one runway slideway (4), comprising at least one portion (4a) for unfolding the filiform tie, and at least one portion (4b) for folding up the filiform tie

   - a plurality of hanger carriages (5) mounted so that they are free in terms of translation with respect to the guide rail (3), each one including rolling means (6, 7, 8) which are engaged in at least one runway slideway (4), as well as a means (9) for fastening the filiform tie

   - at least one drawing loop (10) passing, at least in part, over pulleys (11, 12) and guided (13), at least in part, by the guide rail, the said loop including at least one driving strand part (10a) which is secured in terms of translation to one of the hanger carriages, termed lead carriage (50)
      characterized in that at least one hanger carriage (51, 52) other than the lead carriage (50), termed driven carriage, and/or the driving strand part (10a) of the drawing loop (10) include reversible means (10b, 14a) for fastening the said driven carriage onto the said driving strand part, providing, in the direction of unfolding (15), the coupling of the said driven carriage in terms of translation to the drawing loop, when the said driven carriage is drawn by the filiform tie in the unfolding portion (4a) of the runway slideway (4), and in the other, folding up direction (16), providing an uncoupling of the said driven carriage with respect to the drawing loop when the said carriage arrives in the folding up portion (4b) of the runway slideway (4).
2. Device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the means for fastening a driven carriage (51, 52) are provided at the same time both on the drawing loop (10) and on the driven carriage (51, 52).
3. Device according to Claim 2, characterized in that, on the one hand, the drawing loop (10) comprises a perforated flat strip, the driving strand part (10a) of which extends so that it is adjacent to the travel of the carriages (50, 51, 52), the junction of the driving strand part (10a) and of the return strand part (10c) being situated in an escape zone (17) situated in the region of the junction between the unfolding portion (4a) and the folding up portion (4b) of the rail of the runway slideway and, on the other hand, the driven carriage (51, 52) includes a fastening pin (14a) returned by a return means (18) in the direction of unfolding (15), into a fastening position corresponding to the penetration of the said pin into a said perforation (10b) in the drawing strip, the said pin escaping the said perforation, in the direction of folding up (16), when this perforation passes into the escape zone (17) of the drawing strip (10).
4. Device according to Claim 3, according to which the runway slideway (4) comprises at least one runway (4c) and each hanger carriage (5) comprises at least one roller (6, 8) located on the said runway mounted so that it can rotate about a spindle (14), characterized in that one end (14a) of the said spindle which is free in terms of translation projects from the hanger carriage in the direction of the drawing strip (10) and forms the fastening pin, whilst another end (14b) of the same spindle is returned towards the drawing strip by the return means (18) fixed to the hanger carriage.
5. Device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the guide rail (3) comprises, in its transverse cross-section, at least one runway profiled section (4) for the hanger carriages (5) forming a slideway on which the latter run, and at least one profiled section (13) for holding the drawing loop (10), forming guidance for the latter, and located substantially at right angles with respect to the said runway profiled section.
6. Device according to Claim 5, characterized in that the guide rail (3) is obtained by assembling at least two modular profiled sections (4, 13) which fit into one another.
7. Device according to Claim 6, characterized in that the guide rail (3) is obtained by assembling at least one runway profiled section (4) and at least one profiled section (13) for holding the drawing loop, one of these profiled sections comprising a male fastening stub (13a) on one side, and a female fastening groove (13b) on the other side.
8. Device according to Claim 7, characterized in that it is the profiled section (13) for holding the drawing loop which comprises the male stub (13a) and the female groove (13b) by means of which two holding profiled sections can be assembled to one another, forming between them at least one gap (19) for immobilizing a runway profiled section (4).
9. Device according to Claim 8, characterized in that the runway profiled section (4) comprises a collar (4e) for insertion into the immobilizing gap (19) between two profiled sections (13) for holding the drawing loop.
10. Device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the runway slideway comprises two runways (4c, 4d) located one above the other, and pointed, in transverse cross-section, in opposite directions, and in that each hanger carriage (5) comprises at least two rollers (6, 8) situated one above the other, pinching onto the runway slideway (4) and located respectively in the two runways respectively.
11. Device according to Claim 10, characterized in that each hanger carriage (5) comprises three rollers (6, 7, 8) located in the shape of an equilateral triangle, at least two (6, 7) of which are located in one (4c) of the runways, and the other (8) in the other (4d) runway.
12. Device according to Claim 10, characterized in that at least the two rollers (6, 7, 8) are mounted on a spacer piece (20) external to the guide rail (3) having a shape allowing interpenetration of the contiguous hanger carriages (5) in the gathering portion (4b).
13. Device according to Claims 11 and 12, characterized in that the external spacer piece (20) on which the rollers (6, 7, 8) are mounted has an equilateral shape.
14. Device according to Claim 1, characterized in that, in combination:

    - at least one hanger carriage (54) includes a driven mechanism (21) acting on the part of the piece (2) hung locally from the said carriage

    - a control loop (22), separate from the drawing loop (10), passes, at least in part, over pulleys which are supported in terms of rotation by the guide rail (3), the latter providing, at least in part, the guidance (133) of the said control loop,

    the driven mechanism (21) being coupled to the control loop (22) so as to drive or to control the said mechanism through a relative translational movement of the control loop (22) with respect to the drawing loop (10).
15. Device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the driven mechanism (21) includes a reel (23) for winding up/unwinding a string (24) for raising the hanging piece (2).

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