GB2105179A

GB2105179A - Improved curtain hanging device

Info

Publication number: GB2105179A
Application number: GB08223155A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Peter Raymond Utting
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1981-08-12
Filing date: 1982-08-11
Publication date: 1983-03-23
Also published as: GB2105179B

Abstract

The device 1 comprises means 3 for engaging the upper edge of the curtain rotatably connected to a carriage 2 for gliding movement along a rail 8. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improved curtain hanging device This invention relates to devices for hanging moveable partitions or the like.

Existing apparatus for hanging moveable partitions such as curtains or screens typically consist of a number of hooks constructed of metal wire which engage the upper pleat or pelmit of the partition at intervals along its length, each hook being removably connected to a respective runner which is slidably mounted in a curtain rod or rail forming the path along which the partition is to extend.

There are a number of well known disadvantages with such existing apparatus. Often it is necessary especially with curtains that they be removed for cleaning. With the existing apparatus in which the runners are designed to remain mounted in the rail the hooks must first be separately disconnected from their associated runners and then each hook must be removed from the curtain. Such a procedure is time consuming and laborious.

Also with existing devices it has been found that when the curtain is manually moved along the supporting rod or rail the twisting action naturally imparted to the curtain often causes the runners to skew and become misaligned with the resultthatthey bind in the rail.

It is an object ofthe present invention to provide an improved device for hanging movable partitions or the like which substantially ameliorates the abovementioned disadvantages or at least provides the public with a useful choice.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent from the following description.

In one broad form this invention discloses a device for hanging moveable curtains or screens, the device comprising a means for engaging the upper edge of the curtain or screen and the means being rotatably connected to a carriage adapted for gliding move ment along a rail.

One preferred embodiment of this invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which; Figure 1 is a schematic view of the preferred embodiment of this invention, and; Figure 2 is a perspective view of a portion of a curtain rod suitable for use use with the preferred embodiment, The device is indicated generally by the numeral 1 and consists of a carriage 2 and hook 3. The device is preferably constructed of moulded plastic such as polyethylene or teflon however other suitably rigid materials including other plastics, metal or even wood may be used. The carriage 2 comprises an elongated block 2A the upper surface 4 of which is curved. Passing through this block 2A at right angles to the direction of curvature of the upper surface 4 is an axle 5 of which only one end is shown in the illustration.This axle 5 is freely rotatable in the block 2A and has fixedly mounted on each of its ends wheels 6. The lower part of the block 2A includes a hollow portion 7. The bottom 7 of this hollow portion 7 has a hold 7B through to the outer bottom surface (not shown) ofthe block 2A. Passing through this hole 7B and rotatable therein is the upper shank 3A of a hook 3. The shank 3A although fitting sufficiently loosely in the hole 7B to be easily rotatable is effectively prevented from axial movement out of the hole 7B by means of an enlarged end portion 3B.This enlarged end portion 3B while being small enough to beforceably passed through the hole 78 on assembly of the hook 3 to be carriage 2 nevertheless has a transverse dimension of suitable size to prevent the shank 3A once the device is assembled from being pulled from the hole 7B. This enlarged end portion 3B may also include a peripheral shulder 3c which abuts against the edge of the hole 7B to provide additional support for the shank 3A against axial loading.

In use the device is mounted within a rail such as the one shown generally by the numeral 8 in Figure 2 with the block 2A being slidable within the groove 9 and the wheels 6 bearing on the interior surface 10 of the respective flange portions of the rail. The hook 3 extends below the rail to engage the upper edge of pelmit (not shown) of a curtain or screen etc. Of course a numberofsuch devices would be used so as to support the curtain at intervals along its length. It will be appreciated that this device by virtue of the wheels 6 glides exceptionally easily along the length of the rail 8 and any axial twisting effects exerted on the hook 3 by the curtain are isolated from the carriage 2 bythe rotatable connection between the hook 3 and the carriage 2.

The alignment of the wheels 6 within the rail 8 is further insured by the sides 2B of the carriage 2 bearing againstthe longitudinal edges 11 of the flanges 10 and 10A. In addition the curved upper surface 4 of the device prevents its binding on the inside wall 12 of the rail during any rotation or twisting of the carriage 2 aboutthe axles. The loweredges ofthesides 2B may also include outwardly extending lips 2C to limit any such undue twisting of the carriage.

It will be appreciated that with this device the curtain or screen can be removed from the rail quite easily by simply sliding the device out of an open end of the rail as shown in Figure 2. Alternatively (although not shown) the flanges 10 and 10A of the rail 8 could be provided with adjacent gaps at the predetermined points along the length of the rail to facilitate the insertion and removal of the device.

Any number of modifications obvious to one skilled in the art could be made to the device described without departing from the scope of this invention.

For example although the embodiment shown utilizes an enlarged portion 38 to retain the shank 3A within the hole 7B clearly other means of connection for example a ball joint or universal joint could also be used.

1. A device for hanging movable curtains or screens, the device comprising a means for engaging the upper edge ofthe curtain or screen and the means being rotatably connected to a carriage adapted for gliding movement along a rail.

2. The device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the carriage comprises an elongated block with an axle

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

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Improved curtain hanging device This invention relates to devices for hanging moveable partitions or the like. Existing apparatus for hanging moveable partitions such as curtains or screens typically consist of a number of hooks constructed of metal wire which engage the upper pleat or pelmit of the partition at intervals along its length, each hook being removably connected to a respective runner which is slidably mounted in a curtain rod or rail forming the path along which the partition is to extend. There are a number of well known disadvantages with such existing apparatus. Often it is necessary especially with curtains that they be removed for cleaning. With the existing apparatus in which the runners are designed to remain mounted in the rail the hooks must first be separately disconnected from their associated runners and then each hook must be removed from the curtain. Such a procedure is time consuming and laborious. Also with existing devices it has been found that when the curtain is manually moved along the supporting rod or rail the twisting action naturally imparted to the curtain often causes the runners to skew and become misaligned with the resultthatthey bind in the rail. It is an object ofthe present invention to provide an improved device for hanging movable partitions or the like which substantially ameliorates the abovementioned disadvantages or at least provides the public with a useful choice. Other objects and advantages will become apparent from the following description. In one broad form this invention discloses a device for hanging moveable curtains or screens, the device comprising a means for engaging the upper edge of the curtain or screen and the means being rotatably connected to a carriage adapted for gliding move ment along a rail. One preferred embodiment of this invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which; Figure 1 is a schematic view of the preferred embodiment of this invention, and; Figure 2 is a perspective view of a portion of a curtain rod suitable for use use with the preferred embodiment, The device is indicated generally by the numeral 1 and consists of a carriage 2 and hook 3. The device is preferably constructed of moulded plastic such as polyethylene or teflon however other suitably rigid materials including other plastics, metal or even wood may be used. The carriage 2 comprises an elongated block 2A the upper surface 4 of which is curved. Passing through this block 2A at right angles to the direction of curvature of the upper surface 4 is an axle 5 of which only one end is shown in the illustration.This axle 5 is freely rotatable in the block 2A and has fixedly mounted on each of its ends wheels 6. The lower part of the block 2A includes a hollow portion 7. The bottom 7 of this hollow portion 7 has a hold 7B through to the outer bottom surface (not shown) ofthe block 2A. Passing through this hole 7B and rotatable therein is the upper shank 3A of a hook 3. The shank 3A although fitting sufficiently loosely in the hole 7B to be easily rotatable is effectively prevented from axial movement out of the hole 7B by means of an enlarged end portion 3B.This enlarged end portion 3B while being small enough to beforceably passed through the hole 78 on assembly of the hook 3 to be carriage 2 nevertheless has a transverse dimension of suitable size to prevent the shank 3A once the device is assembled from being pulled from the hole 7B. This enlarged end portion 3B may also include a peripheral shulder 3c which abuts against the edge of the hole 7B to provide additional support for the shank 3A against axial loading. In use the device is mounted within a rail such as the one shown generally by the numeral 8 in Figure 2 with the block 2A being slidable within the groove 9 and the wheels 6 bearing on the interior surface 10 of the respective flange portions of the rail. The hook 3 extends below the rail to engage the upper edge of pelmit (not shown) of a curtain or screen etc. Of course a numberofsuch devices would be used so as to support the curtain at intervals along its length. It will be appreciated that this device by virtue of the wheels 6 glides exceptionally easily along the length of the rail 8 and any axial twisting effects exerted on the hook 3 by the curtain are isolated from the carriage 2 bythe rotatable connection between the hook 3 and the carriage 2. The alignment of the wheels 6 within the rail 8 is further insured by the sides 2B of the carriage 2 bearing againstthe longitudinal edges 11 of the flanges 10 and 10A. In addition the curved upper surface 4 of the device prevents its binding on the inside wall 12 of the rail during any rotation or twisting of the carriage 2 aboutthe axles. The loweredges ofthesides 2B may also include outwardly extending lips 2C to limit any such undue twisting of the carriage. It will be appreciated that with this device the curtain or screen can be removed from the rail quite easily by simply sliding the device out of an open end of the rail as shown in Figure 2. Alternatively (although not shown) the flanges 10 and 10A of the rail 8 could be provided with adjacent gaps at the predetermined points along the length of the rail to facilitate the insertion and removal of the device. Any number of modifications obvious to one skilled in the art could be made to the device described without departing from the scope of this invention. For example although the embodiment shown utilizes an enlarged portion 38 to retain the shank 3A within the hole 7B clearly other means of connection for example a ball joint or universal joint could also be used. CLAIMS

2. The device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the carriage comprises an elongated block with an axle passing through the upper portion of the block and supporting on each end thereof rotatable wheel means for rolling movement along the rail and the upper surface of the block is curved to prevent its binding on the rail during any rotation or twisting of the carriage about the axle.

3. The device as claimed in Claim 2 wherein the lower edges of the block include outwardly extending lips adapted to limit said rotation or twisting of the carriage by engaging the bottom of the rail.

4. The device as claimed in claim 2 wherein the block includes a hollowed out lower portion with a holethroughtothe outer bottom surface ofthe block.

5. The device as claimed in claim 4 wherein the means for engaging the upper edge of the curtain or screen comprises a hook having a shank extending through said hole and into the hollowed out portion ofthe block, and the shank including an enlarged end portion adapted to prevent the shank being pulled from the hole.

6. The device as claimed in claim 5 wherein the enlarged end portion is formed integrally with the shank and is further adapted to be forceably passed through the hole on assembly of the device.

7. The device as claimed in any one ofthe preced ing claims wherein it is formed from polyethylene or telfon.

8. The device as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 6 in combination with the rail which comprises a hollow box section having a central portion of its lower wall removed along its length to form a slot to slidably receive the carriage with adjacent side portions of the lower wall forming both a guide for the movement of the device along the slot and a race for the wheel means.

9. The combination as claimed in claim 8wherein the adjacent side portions of the rail forming the race for the wheel means are provided with adjacent gaps at predetermined points along the length ofthe rail to facilitate the insertion and removal of the device.

10. A device for hanging movable curtains or screens substantially as described herein with reference to figure 1.