GB1594932A

GB1594932A - Curtain rails and rail assemblies

Info

Publication number: GB1594932A
Application number: GB3650376A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Silent Gliss International AG
Current assignee: Silent Gliss International AG
Priority date: 1977-12-01
Filing date: 1977-12-01
Publication date: 1981-08-05

Description

(54) IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO CURTAIN RAILS AND RAIL ASSEMBLIES (71) We, SILENT GLISS INTERNA TIONAL A.G., a Swiss Body Corporate, of Belpstrasse 3, CH 3074 Muri, Switzerland, do hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a Patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed to be particularly described in and by the following statement: This invention relates to curtain rails and rail assemblies.

According to this invention there is provided a curtain rail which is elongate in cross-section and which is externally symmetrical about the major and minor axes of the section, said rail having extending along its length a slot at each end of the major axis and a hollow central portion intermediate the slots, each slot having a neck portion through which the slot opens to the external surface of the rail and being symmetrical about said major axis, and the two slots being substantially identical in cross-section.

The invention also provides a curtain rail assembly comprising a curtain rail as set forth in the preceding paragraph and a plurality of sliders engaged in one of said slots, each slider having a head engaged in the inner portions of the slot, and a shank projecting from the slot through the neck portion of the slot.

Preferably the assembly also comprises an extruded capping which can be engaged, for example as a snap fit, in the other of said slots to close off the neck portion of the slot and thus to help prevent the ingress of dirt and dust to that slot.

One embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a cross-sectional view of a curtain rail and rail assembly according to the invention, Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the rail, and Figure 3 shows a similar rail incorporating a bend in its length.

Referring to the drawings the assembly comprises an extruded rail 10, a plurality of sliders 11, and an extruded capping 12.

The rail is of elongate, substantially rectangular cross-section and is symmetrical about its major and minor axes Y-Y and X-X. Slots 13 are formed in the rail at opposite ends of the axis Y-Y and open to the external surface of the rail through neck portions 13a. The rail is intended for disposition with its major axis vertical, and the capping 12 is bifurcated to enable it to be snapped into the upper slot 13. A plurality of sliders 11 are engaged in the lower slot, each slider having a head 14 and a shank 15 which projects through the neck portion of the slot and terminates in an eye 16 to which a curtain hook (not shown) can be connected.

The rail is hollow between the slots 13 to lighten it and to economise in material without materially reducing its resistance to bending under the weight of the curtain.

Figure 3 shows a rail according to the invention having a 90" curved bend in its length, and the illustrated section is advantageous in that, because the rail is symmetrical. an order for such a rail having a simple bend in its length, as for example a rail for a shower curtain, does not when the bend is other than centrally of the rail have to specify whether the bend is left-handed or right-handed, because a left-handed rail is converted to a right-handed rail by turning it upside down. Much confusion is thereby avoided.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. A curtain rail which is elongate in cross-section and which is externally symmetrical about the major and minor axes of the section, said rail having extending along its length a slot at each end of the major axis and a hollow central portion intermediate

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. (54) IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO CURTAIN RAILS AND RAIL ASSEMBLIES (71) We, SILENT GLISS INTERNA TIONAL A.G., a Swiss Body Corporate, of Belpstrasse 3, CH 3074 Muri, Switzerland, do hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a Patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed to be particularly described in and by the following statement: This invention relates to curtain rails and rail assemblies. According to this invention there is provided a curtain rail which is elongate in cross-section and which is externally symmetrical about the major and minor axes of the section, said rail having extending along its length a slot at each end of the major axis and a hollow central portion intermediate the slots, each slot having a neck portion through which the slot opens to the external surface of the rail and being symmetrical about said major axis, and the two slots being substantially identical in cross-section. The invention also provides a curtain rail assembly comprising a curtain rail as set forth in the preceding paragraph and a plurality of sliders engaged in one of said slots, each slider having a head engaged in the inner portions of the slot, and a shank projecting from the slot through the neck portion of the slot. Preferably the assembly also comprises an extruded capping which can be engaged, for example as a snap fit, in the other of said slots to close off the neck portion of the slot and thus to help prevent the ingress of dirt and dust to that slot. One embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a cross-sectional view of a curtain rail and rail assembly according to the invention, Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the rail, and Figure 3 shows a similar rail incorporating a bend in its length. Referring to the drawings the assembly comprises an extruded rail 10, a plurality of sliders 11, and an extruded capping 12. The rail is of elongate, substantially rectangular cross-section and is symmetrical about its major and minor axes Y-Y and X-X. Slots 13 are formed in the rail at opposite ends of the axis Y-Y and open to the external surface of the rail through neck portions 13a. The rail is intended for disposition with its major axis vertical, and the capping 12 is bifurcated to enable it to be snapped into the upper slot 13. A plurality of sliders 11 are engaged in the lower slot, each slider having a head 14 and a shank 15 which projects through the neck portion of the slot and terminates in an eye 16 to which a curtain hook (not shown) can be connected. The rail is hollow between the slots 13 to lighten it and to economise in material without materially reducing its resistance to bending under the weight of the curtain. Figure 3 shows a rail according to the invention having a 90" curved bend in its length, and the illustrated section is advantageous in that, because the rail is symmetrical. an order for such a rail having a simple bend in its length, as for example a rail for a shower curtain, does not when the bend is other than centrally of the rail have to specify whether the bend is left-handed or right-handed, because a left-handed rail is converted to a right-handed rail by turning it upside down. Much confusion is thereby avoided. WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. A curtain rail which is elongate in cross-section and which is externally symmetrical about the major and minor axes of the section, said rail having extending along its length a slot at each end of the major axis and a hollow central portion intermediate the slots, each slot having a neck portion through which the slot opens to the external surface of the rail and being symmetrical about said major axis, and the two slots being substantially identical in cross-section.

2. A curtain rail assembly comprising a curtain rail as claimed in claim 1, and a plurality of sliders engaged in one of said slots, each slider having a head engaged in the inner portions of the slot, and a shank projecting from the slot through the neck portion of the slot.

3. An assembly as claimed in claim 2, further comprising an extruded capping which is engaged in the other of said slots to close off the neck portion of the slot.

4. An assembly as claimed in claim 2 or claim 3 wherein the rail has intermediate its ends a 90" curved bend such that a common plane contains the minor axis at each point in the length of the rail.

5. A curtain rail substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

6. A curtain rail assembly as claimed in claim 4 and substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.