GB2167650A - Curtain suspension system - Google Patents

Abstract

A curtain suspension arrangement especially suitable for use in caravans and being adapted for fitting at both the top and bottom of the window, comprises a C-section track having inwardly directed jaws and a plurality of gliders having a first ball portion 11 being a snap fit between the track jaws, a second portion 12 extending between the jaws and a third portion 14 for attachment to a curtain. A saucer-shaped friction grip washer 30 is fitted onto the second portion of one or more of the gliders to act between the third portion of the glider and the track whereby the position of the glider along the track, and hence the position of the curtain across the window, can be regulated. End stops having C-shaped portions into which gliders are a snap-fit may be provided at each end of the track. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Curtain suspension system The present application relates to a method and means for slidably positioning curtains across an opening in a wall, such as a window.

In positioning curtains across an opening in a wall, such as a window, the curtains are normally suspended from gliders which slidably engage in a fixed track located above the window. However, if the window is positioned at an angle to the vertical, for example as occurs in windows that are fitted in end walls of caravans or port holes in boats, then a single track suspension system either allows the bottom of the curtain to drag across the window or to hang away from the bottom of the window. The use of a second track and glider assembly for controlling the position of the bottom of the curtain and similarto that used for the top suspension, is generally not practicable.In consequence it is common practice to position the curtain across such windows by carrying them on wires stretched across the top and bottom of the window, the wires passing through loops formed in the top and bottom of the curtains.

However, when the curtains are made of a heavy material they adopt an unattractive appearance when drawn back across the window and the amount by which they can be drawn to one side is limited by the concertinaing of the fabric along the wire.

We have now provided an improved form of curtain suspension assembly that is suitable for use at both the top and bottom of windows and is especially suitable for use in caravans and mobile homes or in motor vehicles e.g. cabs of long distance lorries, where it is desirable to control the movement and position of both the top and bottom of the curtains.

The suspension system of the present invention comprises a track including a forwardly facing groove extending lengthwise thereof and presenting a substantially C-shaped cross-section having inwardly directed jaws and a plurality of gliders each comprising; (a) a first end portion for slidable engagement within the said groove; (b) an integral second portion extending outwardly of said first portion to provide a free end projecting beyond said jaws and being slidably engaged therebeween and (c) a third portion integral with the free end of the outwardly extending second portion, the said second portion of each of said gliders being arranged to extend perpendicularly through the curtain or curtain tape and said third portion including a head portion extending substantially at right angles thereto for location behind the said curtain or tape whereby the curtain or tape is secured to the said glider.

The track may consist solely of a C-section channel member and is preferably formed of a resilient plastics material.

The first end portion of the glider may be ball or rod-shaped and is preferably a snap fit into the groove through the jaws of the C-section. It may also be formed of a suitable plastics material.

A rod-shaped first end portion will act to prevent any substantial rotation of the glider in the groove.

However, to prevent such rotation it is preferred that the said second portion has at least two flat side portions parallel to the elongate sides of the groove, the said portions being spaced apart by an amount permitting the said second portion to be a sliding fit between the C-section jaws.

The third portion may be disc-shaped, e.g. in the form of a dished-button head.

End stops may be provided at each end of the track and they preferably include means to retain a glider (and associated portion of curtain) at one end of the track, i.e. to anchor one end of the curtain at an end of the track.

In orderto permit the curtain to be retained in the fully opened, fully closed, or in an intermediate position, means may be provided to act between the head portion and frictionally engage the track and preferably to cause the first said portion of the glider to frictionally engage against the inside walls of the C-section jaws, whereby the glider is restrained from sliding along the track without an external force being applied thereto.

One embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure lisa broken section of one end of a curtain suspension assembly according to the present invention, Figure 2 is a section through A-A of Figure 1, Figure 3a is a plan view of a glider viewed in the direction of arrow C of Figure 3b, Figure 36 is a cross-section of the glider along the line B-B of Figure 3a, Figure 4a is a plan view of an end stop, Figure 4b is a section through Figure 4a along the lines D-D, Figure 5 is a section through the anti-skid washer shown in Figures 1 and 2, Figure 6 is a section through an alternative form of track.

Referring to the drawings, the curtain suspension system generally indicated at 1 comprises a track 2 having a base portion 3 and side walls 4which terminate in inwardly directed jaws 5 thereby presenting an essentially C-shaped cross-section and providing a groove 7. The track may be attached to a support structure by screws passed through counter-sunk hole 6 formed in the base 3. The track is formed of nylon or polyvinylchloride.

The gliders, also formed of nylon or polypropylene and generally indicated at 10, consist of a first ball shaped end portion 11 that is a sliding fit in groove 7 of track 2 and is a snap fit between jaws 5. Extending from portion 11 of glider 10 is a square section second portion 12 having sides 13 parallel to the walls of the track. Clearance between the sides 13 and jaws 5 is just sufficient to allow the portion 12 to be a sliding fit therebetween thus preventing rotation of the glider within the track. A third portion 14 is a disc-shaped button head extending across the opposite end of the glider from ball 11 and parallel to the base of the track. The dimensions of the button head are substantially greater than the opening between jaws 5.

The ends of the track 2 are closed by end stops generally indicated at 20. The end stops 20 may be located in position by means of screws passing through the countersunk hole 24 in the end stop and through a corresponding hole in the base of the track 2. End stop 20 has a body portion 21 in one end of which is formed a recess 22 having inwardly directed jaws 23 into which recess the ball end portion 11 of glider 10 is a snap fit.

One or more of the gliders may be fitted with an anti-skid washer shown in cross-section in Figure 5 and also illustrated in Figure 2. Anti-skid washer 30 comprises a thin resilient plastic (nylon or polypropylene) washer having a splayed side wall 31 and containing a hole 32 for fitting onto the second portion 12 of glider 10, i.e., is frustoconical in shape.

The washer is constructed such that the lower end of the splayed wall 31 is forced outwardly by jaws 5 of track 3 thereby causing pressure to be applied against the underside of button head 14. This pressure forces the glider outwardly of the track to bring the ball end 11 of the glider 10 into frictional engagement with the inside walls of jaws 5 of the track. Since the washer also makes frictional contact with the outer sides of jaw 5, movement of the glider along the track takes place only under the application of an external force thus enabling the glider to be restrainably positioned at any point along the track.

In an alternative form of track, illustrated in Figure 6, having side walls 4' and a base 3', the inwardly directed jaws 5' are at right angles to the side walls 4'.

In use the glider is pushed through a hole in the appropriate edge of the curtain or, preferably, through a hole formed in a tape positioned along the inside edge of the curtains. It is further preferred that the tape be of a stiff material e.g., nylon, polypropylene, polyethylene or polyvinylchloride plastics material, in which the holes can be shaped to substantially the same dimensions as second portion 12 of the glider thus maintaining the glider in a fixed position relative to the curtain and preventing any tendency of the curtain to rotate about the glider. The gliders are then snap fitted onto the track, one end glider normally fitting into recess 22 of end stop 20 to anchor that end of the curtain in position.

Generally it will be necessary for only one glider at the other end of the curtain to include an anti-skid washer 30 which will be positioned on the glider after it has been located on the tape so that the tape lies between button head 14 and the washer 30.

If the windows across which the curtains are to be positioned is at an angle to the vertical then a second track may be positioned at the bottom of the window and the curtain provided with gliders positioned along the line adjacent to the bottom edge of the curtain in the same manner as those along the upper edge.

Since the gliders are unable to rotate in the curtain track and the curtain unable to rotate about the glider, when the curtains are in the open position the upper (and lower) edges (if a second track is used) form uniform pleats between adjacent gliders. Furthermorethe pressure of the anti-skid washer on the glider at the free end of the curtain enable the curtains to be retained in any position between the fully open and fully closed position.

In the form illustrated in the drawings, the track and gliders are intended to be fitted to a support structure such as a wall with the groove 7 of the track facing outwardly thereof. However, there may be circumstances in which the track is required to be fitted to a substantially horizontal surface e.g., window lintel, the groove then being downwardly directed. In such circumstances a modified glider is preferred in which the second portion of the glider turns through a right angle such that the button head 14 lies parallel to the side wall 4 of the track. If desired composite gliders including a fourth mem berextending at right angles to the portion 12 and having the same dimensions may be provided with button heads attached to the ends of portion 12, as illustrated, and also to the end of the fourth portion to provide for use with tracks having grooves facing outwardly or downwardly (or upwardly) relative to the support structure.

Claims (11)

1. A curtain suspension apparatus comprising a track including a forwardly facing groove extending lengthwise thereof and presenting a substantially C-shaped cross-section having inwardly directed jaws and a plurality of gliders each comprising; (a) a first end portion for slidable engagement within the said groove; (b) an integral second portion extending outwardly of said first portion to provide a free end projecting beyond said jaws and being slidably engaged therebetween and (c) a third portion integral with the free end of the outwardly extending second portion, the said second portion of each of said gliders being arranged to extend perpendicularly through the curtain or curtain tape and said third portion including a head portion extending substantially at right angles thereto for location behind the said curtain or tape whereby the curtain or tape is secured to the said glider.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1 including resilient means frictionally engaging the track and acting between the said track and the said third portion of a said glider whereby the glider is restrained from sliding along the track in the absence of an applied force.

3. An apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the said first portion of the glider is ball shaped.

4. An apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the said first portion of the glider is rod-shaped and extends lengthwise of said groove.

5. An apparatus according to claim 1,2,3 or 4 wherein the track consists of a C-section channel member formed of a resilient material and the first portion of the said glider is a snap fit between said jaws.

6. An apparatus according to any one of claims 2 - 5 wherein said second portion includes at leasttwo opposite flat side portions parallel to the elongte sides ofthe groove thereby preventing rotation of the flider about the longitudinal axis of the said second portion.

7. An apparatus according to any one of claims 2 - 6 wherein said third portion of said glider is disc or square shaped.

8. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein two end stops positioned at either end of the said track include means for attachment of an end of a curtain thereto.

9. An apparatus according to claim 8 wherein additional stops are located in the said track at intermediate positions along the track to prevent gliders proceeding beyond the said stops.

10. An apparatus according to claim 8 or 9 as dependent upon claim 3 wherein the said stops are located in the groove in the track and the means for attachment comprises a C-shaped recess into which the first portion of the said glider is a snap fit.

11. An apparatus for suspending curtains substantially as herein described with reference to the drawings.