GB2168598A

GB2168598A - Curtain support

Info

Publication number: GB2168598A
Application number: GB08530149A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Brian Roland Terance Sture
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1984-12-06
Filing date: 1985-12-06
Publication date: 1986-06-25
Also published as: GB8530149D0; GB2168598B

Abstract

Curtain supporting and drawing apparatus comprising a channel shaped track wherein a sheave block 20,20a is supported in the track towards each end thereof, said sheave blocks being slidable along the track, a first clamping means 22 provided for each sheave block for retaining the sheave blocks in position in the track, a cord having an intermediate portion extending between each sheave block to define a first length 25a which is accommodated within the track, the free ends of the cord being fixed to a first shuttle 26 which is slidably supported on the track wherein the end portions of the cord together define a second length 25b of cord supported on the track which also extends between the sheave blocks, said first length being slidably received in the first shuttle and both lengths of the cord being slidably received in a second shuttle 28 which is slidably supported within the track and wherein the first length of cord is clampingly engaged by a second clamping means 30 on said second shuttle. The track has flanges (15, 17, Fig. 5) by means of which it can be fastened to the end of an outwardly extending bracket (18). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Curtain support This invention relates to curtain tracks.

In one form the invention resides in a curtain support comprising a channel shaped track wherein a sheave block is supported within the track towards each end thereof, said sheave blocks being slidable along the track, first clamping means being provided for retaining the sheave blocks in position in the track, a cord having an intermediate portion extending between each sheave block within the track to define a- first length which is accommodated within the track, the free ends of the cord being fixed to a first shuttle which is slidably supported within the track wherein the end portions of the cord together define a second length of cord supported within the track between the sheave blocks, said first length being slidably received in the first shuttle and both lengths of the cord being slidably received in a second shuttle which is slidably supported in said track and wherein the first length of cord is clamping engaged by a second clamping member on the second shuttle.

The invention will be more fully understood in the light of the following description of one specific embodiment. The description is made with reference to the accompanying drawings of which: Figure 1 is a schematic view of the curtain- support assembly according to the embodi ment; Figure 2 is an isometric view of a sheave block of the embodiment; Figure 3 is an end elevational view of a. first shuttle of the embodiment; Figure 4 is an end- elevational view of a second shuttle according-to the embodiment; Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the track and the second shuttle; and Figure 6 is an end elevational view of a track showing the sheave block.

The embodiment is directed towards a curtain support-assembly by which a curtain is suspended from a track to be capable of extension or retraction across a window space by means of the support assembly. The sup -port. assembly comprises a track 11 taking the form of a channel having a substantially rectangular cross-sectional configuration whereby the open face 12 of the channel is located at a minor side of the rectangle and is located lowermost. The lower edges of the channel are each formed with an inwardly directed flange 13. The inner face of the web of the channel 11 remote from the open face 12 is formed with a pair of parallel ribs while the external face of the web is formed with a further flange 15 which- defines a laterally directed channel 16 at the top of the track 11 and to one side thereof.In addition the side of the channel 1-1 remote from the laterally directed channel 16 is formed with a laterally directed flange 17 which is of divergent width.

To support the track 11 above the window the laterally directed channel 16 is received over the end of an outwardly extending bracket 18 which is retained in engagement with the track 11 by means of a threaded stud threadably engaged in the bracket 18 such that the head engages the laterally extending divergent flange 17.

The track 11 supports a sheave block 20 at each end (see Fig. 2) which is formed as a plate shaped element 21 having a transverse dimension corresponding to the internal depth of the channel such that it is receivable between the web of the channel 11 and the inwardly directed flanges 13 at the edges of the channel. The thickness of the plate shaped member 21 is such that its upper edge is received between a rib 14 formed on the interior surface of the web of the channel 11 and the adjacent side face of the channel. The plate shaped element supports at one side a block 22 which is engagable by a threaded stud 23 which serves as the first clamping means and clampingly engages the inwardly directed flange 13 of the channel between the head of the stud 23 and the block 22 of the sheave block 20. The plate member 21 further supports a pair of bosses 24.It is preferable that the sheave blocks be formed of a material having low friction characteristics.

The sheave blocks 20 support between themselves a cord 25 having an intermediate portion which defines a first length 25a which extends between the bosses 24 of the sheave blocks 20. The free ends of the cord 25 are fixed to a first shuttle 26 and the end portions together define a second length 25b of the cord between the sheave blocks 20. The first length 25a of the cord is slidably received within a passageway 27 of the first shuttle 26. A second shuttle 28 formed with a pair of parallel passageways 29 is slidabiy received within the track 11 and each length of the cord 25a and 25b is slidably received within a passageway 29 of the second shuttle 28. One passageway of the second shuttle has a clamping means comprising a third stud 30 threadably engaged with the second shuttle.The first length 25a of the cord is clampingly retained within the passageway of the second shuttle 28 by the third stud 30.

On movement of the cord through the sheave blocks 20 the shuttles 26 and 28 can be moved towards or away from each other.

The relative position of the second shuttle to the first shuttle may be varied by releasing the third stud 30 from clamping engagement with the cord to facilitate movement of the shuttle over the cord.

As shown at Fig. 5 each of the shuttles are totally supported within the track 11 and are dimensioned such that the sides of the shuttle are clear of the sides of the track 11 and the minor faces of the shuttles are supported between the ribs 14 of the web of the channel and between the inwardly directed flanges 14 at the open faces 12 of the channel. Due to the clearance provided between the faces of the shuttle and the faces of the channel, the track is capable of being bent about a transverse axis without causing jamming of the shuttles on- their movement along the length of the bent track.

In use the curtain support gliders (not shown) are slidably supported from the inwardly directed flanges 13 at the open face of the track between the shuttles and the adjacent sheave block and at least one glider and/or an overlap arm is located in the track between the shuttles.

The cord 25 is looped downwardly from one sheave block 20a at one end of the track to facilitate manipulation of the cord. To ensure that the tension of the cord 25 is maintained within the track both sides of the loop 25c pass through a clamping block 31 at their point of exit from the sheave block 20a. The clamping block 31 is formed with a pair of slots through which lengths of the loop 25c pass. The slots which are overlaid by a clamping block (not shown) which are brought into clamping engagement with each side of the loop 25c by means of a fourth threaded stud (not shown).By pulling each side of the loop 25c downwardly such that the lengths 25a and 25b of the dord within the track are tight-and then tightening the clamping block against the sides of the loop, a state of pretension may be induced within the cord 25 in the track in order to prevent the cord from hanging downwardly from the track.

As a result of the embodiment a track is provided whereby the -curtain support gliders may be positively moved throughout the length of the track with little possibility of interference of the cord in the track. In addition due to the fact that the sheave blocks and shuttles are each slidably supported within the track it is possible for their position to be easily changed in the track without the need to disassemble the track. If it becomes necessary to shorten the track the sheave blocks, curtain support gliders and shuttles can be moved to the main body of the track while the undesired portion can be cut away.

In addition as a result of the invention, provision is made to "cartridge load" a curtain track. This may be achieved by mounting the sheave blocks, all of the curtain gliders, and the shuttles, together with the cord in a short length of track. When the main track has been mounted in position over the window or the iike space, the short: length of track into which the elements have previously been loaded is then placed in a co-linear relationship with the main track and the sheave locks, curtain gliders and shuttles together with the cord are then slidably transferred into the main track.

It should be appreciated that the scope of the present invention should not be limited to the particular scope of the embodiment described above. In particular the invention need not be-limited to the particular form of sheave lock, shuttle or track described in relation to the embodiment.

Claims

1. A curtain support comprising a channel shaped track wherein a sheave block is supported in the track towards each end thereof, said sheave block being slidable along the track, a first clamping mans provided for each sheave block for retaining the sheave blocks in position in the track, a cord having an intermediate portion extending between each sheave block to define a first length which is accommodated within the track, the free ends of the cord being fixed to a first shuttle which is slidably supported on the track wherein the end portions of the cord together define a second length of cord supported on the track which also extends between the sheave blocks, said first length being slidably received in the first shuttle and both lengths of the cord being slidably received in a second shuttle which is slidably supported within the track and wherein the first length of cord is clampingly engaged by a second clamping means on said. second shuttle.

2. A curtain support as claimed at claim 1 or 2 wherein the track is of channel section and has an opening of reduced width in relation to the internal dimensions of the track and said sheave blocks and shuttles are accommodated within the channel section.

3. A curtain support as claimed at claim 2 wherein said shuttles are supported in said track with clearance provided between the sides of the track and the shuttle.

4. A curtain support as claimed at claim 2 or 3 wherein said opening is disposed lowermost

5. A curtain support as claimed at claim 2, 3 or 4 wherein the internal face of the track opposite said opening is formed with a pair of parallel ribs and wherein the shuttles are slidably received between said ribs.

6. A curtain support as claimed at any one of the proceeding claims wherein the second shuttle is formed with a pair of passageways which receive the first and second length of cord and said second clamping means is associated with the passageway accommodating the first length of cord.

7. A curtain support as- claimed at any one of the preceeding claims wherein said sheave blocks comprise a plate-like base element formed with at least one sheave on one face.

8. A curtain support as claimed at claim 9 wHerein said sheave block is formed of a material having low frictional properties and said sheave is formed as a boss extending from said one face of the base member.

9. A curtain support as claimed at any one of the preceeding claims wherein a loop of cord extends downwardly from at least one sheave block wherein each portion of the loop is slidably received in a retaining member mounted to the sheave block which frictionally engages each portion to control the slidable movement of the cord through the retaining member.

10. A curtain support substantially as herein described with reference to the accom panying drawings.