EP2589319A2

EP2589319A2 - Curtain Arrangement

Info

Publication number: EP2589319A2
Application number: EP12191053.3A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Hannu Väyrynen
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2011-11-03
Filing date: 2012-11-02
Publication date: 2013-05-08
Also published as: FI9539U1

Abstract

Curtain arrangement (1) which includes a curtain (2) and a curtain rod (10) or similar suspension accessory. The curtain arrangement also includes a reeling device (5) and suspension strings, cords, or lines (9) reeling around it, which are attached to the curtain structure (2, 10). The reeling device is particularly a shaft (5) connected to the reeling device.

Description

The present invention relates to a curtain arrangement.
Curtains are used in very many places, both to separate spaces from each other and also traditionally in windows for decoration and screening.
In window curtains, a few conventional methods are used for suspension. A channel can be sown in the upper edge of the curtain, into which a curtain rail is stringed, which, with the aid of suitable attachments, is attached to the wall in the area above the window, or to the ceiling, behind a suitable cover plate.
It is also possible to use rails, on which the curtain is suspended to hang from the rail by means of sliders attached to the rail. The sliders are often equipped with spring-loaded clips.
Curtains may be left untouched for even long periods of time, but are often pulled daily in front of the window and away from it. Even if the curtains are not pulled daily, when the time comes to change the curtains this often involves some degree of acrobatics even in a room of normal height. This work is particularly challenging in rooms that are clearly higher normal rooms.
The present invention is intended to facilitate the handling of curtains, which involves their suspension.
The aforementioned intention is achieved in the manner described as characteristic in the accompanying claims.
In the following, the invention is described in greater detail with reference to the accompanying Figures, which show the basic principles of the invention.

Figure 1 shows a schematic diagram of one embodiment of the invention; and
Figure 2 shows the embodiment of Figure 1, seen from a different angle.

Thus, Figure 1 shows the arrangement according to the invention in use, seen from directly in front. The arrangement 1 consists of a curtain 2, at the upper edge of which there is a suitable suspension aid, such as a curtain rail or curtain rod 10 or similar. Attached to this rail or rod 10, there are at least two strings, cords, or lines 9, which lead to a shaft 5, around which they wind either directly, or with the aid of suitable rollers 8 or similar. For its part, the shaft is connected to a rotation means 7, particularly an electric motor. At its outer ends, the shaft is supported 6 to remain in place. The rollers 8 can be equipped with springs, which create a small load in the strings 9. This allows the reeling to be equalized, so that the strings always raise/lower the curtain in step. When using a curtain rail 10, which is usually attached to the ceiling behind a pelmet, the curtain itself is suspended from the rail by means of the desired sliders, or attachments typical to the rail.
The reference number 3 marks ceiling of the room, in which on the curtain is used. For its part, the reference number 4 is used to mark the lower edge of the pelmet. As can be concluded from the above, the mechanism are located hidden behind the pelmet 11. The attachment can take place to either the ceiling or the wall surface, the location being of practically no significance.
The operation of the invention is obvious on the basis of the above; by rotating the electric motor 7 in one direction, the strings 9 run off from around the shaft 5 and the curtain attached to the strings descends. When lowered, the curtain 2 can be easily detached or attached without a stool or stepladder. Thus, work involving a curtain can be performed even by a person, who does not want to climb, or on account of their strength or a handicap cannot perform the hanging of conventional curtains.
The electric motor 7 can be easily controlled using a simple switch, which is located in an easily accessible location, or with the aid of a remote control.
Figure 2 shows a side view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1 and should be self explanatory.
Many variations of the invention are possible while remaining within the scope of the protection of the basic idea and the accompanying Claims.
For example, the curtain rod is not essential. In many cases the curtain is suspended using clips, which are attached to the upper edge of the curtain. This is used particularly in sliding-rail applications. If several suspension strings are used in this embodiment of the invention, clip solutions attached to their ends would achieve the same purpose. Otherwise too, existing known suspension solutions are applicable in many ways in connection with the present invention.
A variation of an embodiment according to the invention is one, in which there is an individual reel or similar for each suspension string, driven by its own electric motor. Such an embodiment is also cheap and simple to construct. It is a simple task to equip a small electric motor with a roller permitting the reeling of a string. Such a unit can be made very small in size. By using synchronized electric motors, the same result is achieved as by using the previously depicted shaft reeling.
An alternative is also possible, according to which the shaft 5 is rotated using a cord, which hangs at a suitable height, without a need to stand on a chair or stepladder to raise or lower the curtain. Such solutions are used in Venetian blinds, from which it can also be applied in connection with the invention.
The shaft 5 can be considerably longer than the width of the curtain. If the rollers 8 are moveable, they can be used for the lateral pleating and movement of curtains.

Claims

Curtain arrangement (1), which includes a curtain (2) and a curtain rod (10) or similar suspension aid, characterized in that it also includes a rotatable reeling device (5) and suspension strings, cords, or lines (9) reeling around it, which is attached to the curtain structure (2, 10).
Curtain arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that the reeling device is a shaft (5) connected to a rotation device.
Curtain arrangement according to claim 2, characterized in that it also includes an electric motor (7) for rotating the shaft (5).
Curtain arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that each suspension string (9) is equipped with its own reeling device containing an electric motor.
Curtain arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that the reeling device (5) is rotated manually.