EP2977539A1

EP2977539A1 - Cord diverter for curtain systems

Info

Publication number: EP2977539A1
Application number: EP15178157.2A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Dominique Lampe
Original assignee: Shadow-Inside Nv
Current assignee: Shadow-Inside Nv
Priority date: 2014-07-23
Filing date: 2015-07-23
Publication date: 2016-01-27

Abstract

A cord diverter (100) for diverting a cord of a hanging system. The cord diverter has a first side (110) and a second side (150) perpendicular to the first side (110). The first side (110) fits onto the end of a rail of the hanging system or can be clamped between the rail and a cover (200) which fits on the end of the rail. The second side (150) is provided with at least one hole (151).

Description

Area of Application of the Invention

This invention generally relates to curtain systems to which curtains may be attached and with which curtains can be raised. More specifically, it relates to curtain systems for folding curtains or horizontal blinds.

Background of the Invention

Folding curtains or horizontal blinds can in general be raised by a number of (at least two) vertical cords. During raising of the curtain, these cords are for example wound around a horizontally placed tube (the winding tube). Depending on the type of curtain and its dimensions, two or more cords may be necessary to raise the curtain. Also depending on the type of curtain and its dimensions, these cords may be attached at predetermined points along the width of the curtain. Preferably, an attachment point is located on the winding tube for each cord, and preferably these attachment points lie directly opposite, normally vertically above, the attachment points of the cords on the curtain. In this way the attachment cords hang vertically down when the curtain is attached to a horizontally suspended hanging system. In standard hanging systems, the attachment points of the cords on the winding tube do not necessarily correspond to the attachment points of the cords on the curtain. To solve this problem in standard hanging systems, plates are used which are screwed to the hanging system and which allow the cords to be diverted to the desired position directly opposite (vertically above) the attachment points of the cords on the curtain. These plates must however be screwed or where applicable glued in place, which requires additional actions by the fitter.
Consequently, there is room for a more efficient system and a more efficient method for hanging systems and more specifically for diverting the cord to the desired horizontal position.

Summary of the Invention

It is an object of embodiments of the present invention to be able to use standard hanging systems for different types of curtains, wherein the positioning of the cords in the length direction of the hanging system differs from curtain to curtain.
This object is achieved by an apparatus, device and/or method according to the present invention.
In a first aspect, the present invention provides a cord diverter for diverting a cord of a curtain hanging system from an original position vertically above an attachment point of the curtain, to another position in the length direction of the hanging system where the cord is wound up, wherein the cord diverter has a first side and a second side which stand perpendicular to each other. The first side fits on the end of a rail of the hanging system or can be clamped between the rail and a cover which is placed on the end of the rail. The second side is provided with at least one hole to guide the cord of the hanging system. The cord diverter is formed such that, when mounted on the horizontally mounted hanging system, the second side is on the underside of the rail.
It is an advantage of embodiments of the present invention that a cord of the hanging system can be moved to another position in the length direction of the hanging system, by moving this, instead of leaving it directly above, to a position where it is wound around a winding tube of the hanging system, diverting it from its original position to the position where it is thus wound. It is an advantage of embodiments of the present invention that a cord which is wound up via a winding tube of the hanging system can be diverted to a position vertically above the attachment point of the curtain, without the position of winding having to be located vertically above the attachment point. It is an advantage of embodiments of the present invention that a simple system is obtained, both in the structure of the cord diverter itself and in its installation. It is an advantage of embodiments of the present invention that no secondary fixing means, such as for example screws or glue, are required to attach the cord diverter to the rail.
A cord diverter according to embodiments of the present invention may comprise ribs which stand vertically on the first side, wherein these ribs and the second side lie on the same edge of the first side, and wherein these ribs are configured to lie connect against the inside and/or outside of the end of the rail of the hanging system.
It is an advantage of embodiments of the present invention that the cord diverter can easily be pushed or clicked onto the rail and at the same time can serve as a cover for the rail.
In a cord diverter according to embodiments of the present invention, in the first side a recess may be made, whereby the ribs of a cover can be pushed through the recess from the first side.
It is an advantage of embodiments of the present invention that the cord diverter can be mounted between the rail and the cover of the hanging system. In this way no extra fixing mechanisms are required to attach the cord diverter to the hanging system. In addition, the cord diverter can be integrated in an existing hanging system with a rail and covers on the ends of the rail. It is an advantage of embodiments of the present invention that the recess in the first side lies closely against the ribs of the cover of the hanging system. Thus the cord diverter can be mounted without play.
In a cord diverter according to embodiments of the present invention, a plurality of holes may be present in the second side, wherein these holes are spread, for example but without limitation evenly spread, in a direction perpendicular to the first side.
It is an advantage of embodiments of the present invention that the same cord diverter may be used for different types (for example different hanging systems or different dimensions) of curtains. Depending on the position of the attachment point to the curtain, a hole may be used which lies above the attachment point of the curtain. It is an advantage of embodiments of the present invention that the same cord diverter may be used at both ends of the rail of the hanging system. Due to the presence of the plurality of holes, any asymmetry in the desired position of the cords may be absorbed by passing the raising cord through another hole. Such an asymmetry could occur for example due to the presence of a motor on one side for driving the winding tube in a motorised fashion. It is an advantage of embodiments of the present invention that the cord diverter does not need to be moved to obtain the desired position of the hole. Consequently, the rail too need not be adapted to make this possible.
In a cord diverter according to embodiments of the present invention, a slot may be provided in the second side perpendicular to the first side and on the same edge as the first side, wherein each hole opens into the slot.
It is an advantage of embodiments of the present invention that a slot is present in the second side of the cord diverter, along which during use the cord can be guided between the cord diverter and the rail of the hanging system. In embodiments of the present invention, the second side lies closely against the underside of a rail when the cord diverter is moved on this rail, except at the place where a slot is present. It is an advantage of embodiments of the present invention that the slot provides space through which the cord can be guided.
In a second aspect, the present invention provides a hanging system for fixing a curtain, wherein a cord diverter according to one of the embodiments of the first aspect of the present invention is mounted at one end of a rail of the hanging system.
It is an advantage of embodiments of the present invention that cords can be diverted from a winding position around a winding tube of a hanging system, to a shifted position along the winding tube so that they lie directly opposite an attachment point of the curtain.
Specific and preferred aspects of the invention are described in the attached independent and dependent claims. Features of the dependent claims may be combined with features of the independent claims and with features of other dependent claims as indicated and not merely as expressly presented in the claims.
These and other aspects of the invention will become clear from and be illustrated with reference to the embodiment(s) described below.

Brief Description of the Figures

Fig. 1 shows diagrammatically a side, front and underside view of a cord diverter in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.
Fig. 2 shows a front and side view of a cover of a hanging system compatible with a cord diverter in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.
Fig. 3 shows a cord diverter in accordance with embodiments of the present invention mounted on the rail of a hanging system.
Fig. 4 shows diagrammatically a side, front and underside view of a cord diverter in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.
Fig. 5 shows a cord diverter in accordance with embodiments of the present invention mounted on a hanging system.
Fig. 6 shows a photo of a front of a cover, a cord diverter in accordance with embodiments of the present invention, and a rail.
Fig. 7 shows a photo of the underside of a cover, a cord diverter in accordance with embodiments of the present invention, and a rail.
Fig. 8 shows a photo of the side of a cover, and a cord diverter in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.

The figures are merely diagrammatic and not limitative. In the figures, the dimensions of some components may be exaggerated and not presented to scale for illustrative purposes.
Reference numbers in the claims should not be interpreted as restricting the scope of protection. In the different figures, the same reference numbers refer to the same or equivalent elements.

Detailed Description of Illustrative Embodiments

The present invention will be described in relation to particular embodiments and with reference to specific drawings, however the invention is not restricted thereto but is limited solely by the claims. The drawings described are merely diagrammatic and not restrictive. In the drawings, for illustrative purposes the dimensions of some elements may be enlarged and not drawn to scale. The dimensions and relative dimensions sometimes do not correspond to the actual practical embodiment of the invention.
Furthermore, the terms "first", "second", "third" and similar in the description and in the claims are used to distinguish similar elements and not necessarily to describe an order either in time or space, or in priority or in any other way. It should be understood that the terms used in this manner are interchangeable under suitable circumstances, and that the embodiments of the invention described herein are suitable for working in a different order from that described or shown here.
In addition, the terms "top", "bottom", "above", "in front of" and similar in the description and claims are used for descriptive purposes and do not necessarily describe relative positions. It should be understood that the terms which are used thus are mutually interchangeable under certain circumstances, and that the embodiments of the invention described here are also suitable for working in different orientations from that described or shown here.
It should be pointed out that the term "comprises" as used in the claims should not be interpreted as limited to the means described thereafter; this term does not exclude any other elements or steps. It should therefore be interpreted as specifying the presence of the said features, values, steps or components to which reference is made, but does not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, values, steps or components, or groups thereof. Thus the scope of the expression "a device comprising means A and B" should not be restricted to devices which consist merely of components A and B. It means that in relation to the present invention, A and B are the only relevant components of the device.
Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" means that a specific feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus the occurrence of the expressions "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment" at various points throughout the specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, although this may be the case. Also, the specific features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner, as will be clear to the average expert on the basis of this disclosure, in one or more embodiments.
Similarly, it should be appreciated that in the description of exemplary embodiments of the invention, different features of the invention are sometimes grouped into a single embodiment, figure or description thereof, with the purpose of streamlining the disclosure and aiding the understanding of one or more of the various inventive aspects. This method of disclosure should also not be interpreted as a reflection of an intention that the invention requires more features than explicitly stated in each claim. Rather, as the following claims indicate, inventive aspects are present in less than all features of one single embodiment previously disclosed. Thus the claims following the detailed description are hereby explicitly included in this detailed description, with each independent claim as a separate embodiment of this invention.
Also, while some embodiments described here contain some but not other features included in other embodiments, combinations of features of different embodiments are intended to lie within the scope of the invention, and form different embodiments as will be understood by the expert. For example in the following claims, any of the embodiments described may be used in any combination.
In the description provided here, numerous specific details are emphasised. It is also to be understood that embodiments of the invention may be implemented without these specific details. In other cases, well-known methods, structures and techniques have not been presented in detail in order to keep this description clear.
Where, in embodiments of the present invention, the terms "horizontal" and "vertical" are mentioned as reference directions, it is assumed that the hanging system and/or the curtain is positioned as in the normal usage position; this means a horizontally mounted hanging system and a vertically hanging curtain.
In a first aspect, the present invention concerns a cord diverter 100 which may be mounted at the end of a hanging system 300 for curtains. The hanging system 300 may for example be used for raising folding curtains or horizontal blinds. These are raised by means of cords 330 which are attached to the bottom of folding curtains or horizontal blinds, for example by knots, and which run substantially vertically upward to be wound around a winding tube of the hanging system. For this a rail which surrounds the hanging tube may be provided with a hole to allow the cord to pass through. In existing hanging systems, for each different type of curtain, for example for another curtain width, a rail must be provided with a hole at another place to pass the winding cord through. Different curtain widths namely require winding cords at different intervals, and hence corresponding holes at different intervals in the rail of the hanging system to allow the cord to pass through. This is a disadvantage which the present invention counters.
It is an advantage of embodiments of the present invention that the cords 330 with which a curtain is raised by means of the cord diverter may be positioned in the length direction of the hanging system, which in normal use is the horizontal direction, so that the attachment point on the hanging system 300 and more specifically on the cord diverter 100 is directly opposite, in normal use vertically above, the attachment point of the cords on the curtain. For this, according to the present invention, a cord diverter 100 is used according to embodiments of the present invention, which is or can be attached to the end of a rail 310 of the hanging system 300.
In embodiments of the present invention, the cord diverter 100 has a first side 110 and a second side 150 which stands perpendicular to the first side. In embodiments of the present invention, the first side 110 fits on one end of the hanging system 300, for example on one end of the rail 310 of the hanging system 300. In some hanging systems 300, the rail 310 also has a cover 200 at each end thereof to keep the inner edge of the rail free from dirt and to close the rail in an aesthetically pleasing manner. These covers 200 have ribs 210 which can be pushed into the rail and which lie closely against the rail 310 so as to remain firmly seated in the rail 310.
In embodiments of the present invention, the first side 110 of the cord diverter 100 is designed so that it fits between the rail 310 and the cover 200. In particular, the first side 110 of the cord diverter 100 may contain recesses for receiving the ribs 210 of the cover and create space within the rail 310. Alternatively, the first side 110 of the cord diverter 100 may be adapted to click onto the rail 110 and the cover 200 may be adapted to click in or onto the first side 110 of the cord diverter 100. The adaptations on the first side 110 of the cord diverter 100 and the cover 200 may be similar, so that in the absence of the cord diverter 100, the cover 200 can click onto the rail 310.
In the second side of the cord diverter 100, at least one hole 151 is present. The at least one hole 151 may be positioned such that the point of attack of the cord on the raising system (at the level of the cord diverter 100) lies directly opposite, i.e. in normal use vertically above, the point of attachment of the cord to the curtain. When the cord diverter 100 according to embodiments of the present invention only has one or a limited number of holes 151, different types of cord diverter 100 may be provided with holes 151 at different locations along a line on the second side 150 of the cord diverter. In alternative embodiments, the second side 150 of the cord diverter 100 may comprise different holes which are no further apart than ...mm so that a universal cord diverter 100 may be used to place the points of attack of the cord on the winding system (at the level of the cord diverter 100) substantially opposite, i.e. in normal use substantially vertically above, the attachment point of the cord on the curtain. The terms "substantially opposite" and "substantially vertically above" mean that the deviation in location of the hole 151 which is closest to "directly opposite" or thus "vertically above" is no more than 1 cm, preferably no more than 0.5 cm, or even no more than a few millimetres.
When cord diverters 100 according to embodiments of the present invention (suitably selected cord diverters 100 with just one or a limited number of holes, or universal cord diverters 100 with a series of holes 151 selected in good location) are mounted on the ends of the rail 310, in this way a hole 151 can be positioned opposite, i.e. vertically above, each attachment point of the cord to the curtain.
In the embodiments of the universal cord diverters according to the present invention, a plurality of holes are present in the second side 150. These holes are spread, for example evenly spread, in a direction which stands perpendicular to the first side 110. In embodiments of the present invention, the distance between the holes (measured from the centre of one hole to the centre of the next hole) is between 20 mm and 3 mm, preferably between 15 mm and 5 mm, for example around 10 mm. The holes have a diameter greater than the diameter of the cord used. For example the diameter of the holes is between 1 mm and 5 mm, preferably between 2 mm and 3 mm. In embodiments of the present invention, the length of the second side 150 of the cord diverter 100 (measured in the direction perpendicular to the first side) is between 2 cm and 10 cm, for example between 3 cm and 7 cm.
In use, a cord diverter 100 according to embodiments of the present invention is mounted at one end, preferably at both ends of the rail 310. This is particularly advantageously possible in embodiments of the invention without making use of screws or glue, which allows simple installation but also simple dismantling. The rail 310 may be a standard rail of a hanging system which is provided with a hole 315 to allow the cord to pass onto the winding tube. The rail 310 may consequently be a universal rail which may be used for different types of curtain (different types or different widths) and wherein one hole 315 must always be provided to allow the cord to pass through. In use, the cord is guided from the attachment point to the curtain up through a hole 151, selected depending on the type of curtain used, in the cord diverter 100, and then between the second side 150 and the outside of the rail 310 to the hole 315 in the rail, in order thus to reach the winding system, for example the winding tube, through the hole. The guiding of the cord 330 between the rail 310 and the second side 150 of the cord diverter is easier if the second side 150 of the cord diverter 100 has a slot 152 as described in more detail below. The cord 330 may be guided between the rail 310 and the second side 150 of the cord diverter to left or right, depending on the position of the selected hole 151 in the cord diverter relative to the hole 315 in the rail 310. The guiding of the cords 330 to the left side of the hanging system and to the right side of the hanging system may, but need not, take place in the same direction, as illustrated in Fig. 3 and Fig. 5.
The holes 151 in the second side 150 of the cord diverter are positioned along this second side 150 such that for each attachment point of the cord to the curtain, a hole 151 is present which here lies substantially opposite. In embodiments of the present invention, for different types of rails 310, different types of cord diverter 100 are possible which for example differ from each other only in form and manner of fixing to the rail 310, but not necessarily in the number and position of the holes 151. The cross section of the rails 310 may for example be circular, rectangular, square, hexagonal, octagonal, or have any other suitable form. The cross section of the rails may also have a different form on the inside compared with the outside. Embodiments of cord diverters 100 according to the present invention may thus be matched to different cross sections. Also different types of cord diverter 100 may be provided which differ from each other in dimensions and/or spacing of the holes, depending on the type of cord used. Alternatively, dimensions and spacing of the holes may be selected such that the cord diverter is universally usable for many different types of cord and for many different types of curtains and hanging systems.
In embodiments of the present invention, the cord diverter 100 has ribs 111 which are orthogonal to the first side 110 of the cord diverter 100 and connect closely to the inside and/or outside of the end of the rail 310. Fig. 1 and Fig. 4 show examples of embodiments of the present invention. The figures show at the top left a side view, at the top right a front view and at the bottom right an underside view of one and the same embodiment of the present invention. Ribs 111 are present perpendicular to the first side 110 of the cord diverter 100. These ribs 111 and the second side 150 are on the same edge of the first side 110. The ribs 111 are positioned such that they lie closely against the inside of the rail 310 of the hanging system 300. The ribs 111 may be slightly flexible, for example moveable under pressure towards the centre or the cord diverter or away from this, in order to allow the cord diverter to click inside a rail or around a rail 310, and to generate a certain resistance to prevent the cord diverter from being able to be removed from the rail 310 without a tensile force. In this way, the cord diverter 110 may be mounted without the need for screws or glue. The flexible ribs 111 also allow simple dismantling, wherein little or no equipment is required. The length of the ribs 111 measured in the direction perpendicular to the first side is between 3 mmm and 30 mm, or for example between 5 mm and 10 mm.
As indicated diagrammatically in the embodiments of Fig. 1 and Fig.4, in the second side 150 which stands perpendicular to the first side 110, a series of holes 151 is present. These holes 151 lie in a line perpendicular to the first side. In embodiments of the present invention, these holes also lie in a slot 152. This slot 152 stands perpendicular to the first side and is on the same edge of the second side 150 as the first side 110. The holes 151 open into the slot 152. This slot 152 allows a cord 330 to be guided from a hole 151 in the cord diverter 100 to a hole 315 in the rail 310. In embodiments of the present invention, the slot 152 is at least as deep as the thickness of the cord used. In this way the cord 330 can be moved without seizing when the cord diverter 100 is mounted on the rail 310. This reduces wear on the cord 330 used and simplifies the raising and lowering of the curtain. In embodiments of the present invention, the slot 152 for example has a depth between 1 mm and 5 mm and a length between 20 mm and 100 mm.
Fig. 5 shows a front view of a hanging system 300 on which a cord diverter 100 according to embodiments of the present invention is mounted on both sides. The cords 330 are guided through a hole 151 of the cord diverters 100. In this embodiment of the present invention, the winding tube 330 may be moved while the cord 330 remains at the same place. This allows the cord 330 to be wound evenly around the winding tube 320, by shifting the winding tube per winding over at least the thickness of the cord 330 in the length direction of the winding tube. The cord diverters 100 with their ribs 111 lie closely against the inside of the rail 310, whereby they do not move relative to the rail 310 when they are mounted.
In embodiments of the present invention, a recess 112 is made in the first side 110 of the cord diverter 100. This recess 112 has a form such that the ribs 210 of the cover 200 can be pushed through the recess of the first side 110. In embodiments of the present invention, the ribs 210 of the cover 200 lie closely against the recess 112 in the cord diverter 100. Embodiments of the present invention with a recess 112 in the first side 110 may be mounted between the cover 200 and the rail 310. Fig. 2 shows a front view (left drawing) and a side view (right drawing) of a possible cover 200. The cover 200 has ribs 210 which can be pushed into a rail 310. These ribs lie closely against the inside of the rail 310, whereby the cover can be mounted on the rail 310 without play. In the embodiment illustrated, the innermost rib 310 of the cover is circular so that this can serve to allow the winding tube 320 to rotate therein. In embodiments of the present invention, a cord diverter 100 is mounted between the cover 200 and the rail 310. One example of such a cord diverter 100 in accordance with embodiments of the present invention is shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 1 at the top left shows a side view, at the top right a front view and at the bottom right an underside view. The recess 112 is such that the ribs 210 of the cover 100 illustrated in Fig. 2 can be pushed therein. A rib 112 is also present which can lie against the inside of the rail 310. In the second side 150, the holes 151 are made which lie in the slot 152 perpendicular to the first side 110. Fig. 3 shows a front view of a hanging system 300 on which cord diverters 100 are mounted in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. The cord diverters 100 are here clamped between the covers 200 and the rail 310.
In a second aspect, the present invention concerns a hanging system 300 wherein a cord diverter 100 is mounted at the end of a rail 310 of the hanging system 300. The cord diverter 100 may for example be pushed directly onto the rail as illustrated in Fig. 5. It is also possible that the cord diverter 100 is clamped between a cover 200 and the rail 310. One example of this is illustrated in Fig. 3. In embodiments of the present invention, the cords 330 are diverted for example to between 20 and 30 cm from the ends of the rails.
Fig. 6 shows a photo of a cord diverter 100 according to embodiments of the present invention. The front view of the cord diverter is shown here. Both the first side 110 and the second side 150 are visible. This photo also shows the cover 200 and part of the rail 310. On the photo, the three elements are placed so they can be pushed into each other. The ribs 210 of the cover 200 can be pushed into the recess of the cord diverter 100 and lie closely against the inside of the rail 310. The photo also shows a rib 111 of the cord diverter which lies closely against the inside of the rail when the different parts are pushed into each other.
Fig. 7 shows a photo wherein the cover 200, the cord diverter 100 and the rail 310 are pushed into each other. On this photo, the underside is shown. The slot 152 through which the cord is guided and the holes 151 through which the cord can be diverted are visible on this figure.
Fig. 8 shows a photo of the same cord diverter 100 and the same cover 200. This photo shows a side view of both. On the photo, the slot 152 in the second side 150 of the cord diverter 100 can be seen. Both the second side 150 and the slot 152 stand orthogonal to the first side 110. In the first side 110, the recess 112 is visible. A rib 111 can also be seen on the photo. The recess 112 corresponds to the ribs 210 of the cover 200. The cover 200 may consequently be pushed into the recess 112 of the cord diverter 100 and then pushed into the rail 310. The cord diverter is here mounted on the rail without any screws or glues or any other fixing means being required. Part of the rib 210 of this cover is circular. The winding tube can be mounted in this.
The different aspects of the invention may easily be combined and the combinations thus also correspond to embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

A cord diverter (100) for diverting a cord of a hanging system (300) for curtains from an original position vertically above an attachment point of the curtain to another position in the length direction of the hanging system where the cord is wound up, wherein the cord diverter has a first side (110) and a second side (150) which are perpendicular to each other,
wherein the first side (110) fits on the end of a rail (310) of the hanging system or can be clamped between the rail (310) and a cover (200) which fits on the end of the rail, and of which the second side (150) is provided with at least one hole (151) to allow the cord (330) to pass through, and wherein the cord diverter (100) is formed such that the second side (150), when mounted on the horizontally mounted hanging system, is on the underside of the rail (310).
A cord diverter (100) according to claim 1, wherein the cord diverter (100) has ribs (111) which stand perpendicular to the first side (110), and wherein these ribs and the second side (150) are on the same edge of the first side, and wherein these ribs are configured to lie closely against the inside and/or outside of the end of the rail (310) of the hanging system (300).
A cord diverter (100) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein a recess (112) is made in the first side (110), whereby the ribs (210) of a cover (200) can be pushed through the recess (112) of the first side (110).
A cord diverter (100) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein a plurality of holes (151) are present in the second side and wherein these holes are spread in a direction perpendicular to the first side.
A cord diverter (100) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein a slot (152) is present in the second side which is perpendicular to the first side and on the same edge as the first side (152), wherein each hole (151) opens into the slot (152).
A hanging system (300) for fixing a curtain, wherein a cord diverter (100) according to any of the preceding claims is mounted at an end of a rail of the hanging system.