GB2327335A

GB2327335A - Telescopic curtain pole

Info

Publication number: GB2327335A
Application number: GB9715582A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Edward Lyons
Original assignee: Antiference Ltd
Current assignee: Antiference Ltd
Priority date: 1997-07-23
Filing date: 1997-07-23
Publication date: 1999-01-27
Also published as: IE980453A1; GB9715582D0; IE81063B1

Abstract

In a telescopic curtain pole having an inner tube 2 received within an outer hollow tube 1, the end 1a of the outer tube is at least partly cut to provide an oblique surface to facilitate sliding of the curtain rings 3 over the joint. A fixing hole may be provided to ensure correct orientation in use of the oblique surface.

Description

TELESCOPIC CURTAIN POLE The present invention concerns adjustable telescopic poles for hanging curtains when using curtain rings.

Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a telescopic curtain pole of the prior art. Figure 1 shows a hollow outer pole (1) into which an inner pole (2) can be inserted.

The length of the curtain pole can be adjusted by varying the extent to which the inner pole (2) is telescopically inserted into the outer pole (1). A curtain (not shown) can be hung from a plurality of curtain rings. The telescopic curtain pole (1, 2) is arranged to be inserted into openings of curtain rings. When in use, the inner surface of the opening of the curtain rings rest upon the upper surface of the telescopic curtain pole (1, 2). The curtain rings can then be slid along the telescopic curtain pole so that curtains can be drawn or opened.

A problem with the curtain poles of Figure 1 occurs where a curtain ring (3) is transferred from the inner pole (2) to the outer pole (1). When a curtain ring (3) is transferred from the inner pole (2) to the outer pole (1) it must pass over the end of the outer pole (1). The difference in size between the inner pole (2) and the outer pole (1) means there is a step over which a curtain ring (3) has to pass. When the curtain ring (3) passes over this step this causes wear on the ring and strain on the curtain, and it may be difficult to achieve the required movement.

Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing a known solution to this problem. It had been suggested that a ring ramp (4) having a tapered outer edge could be inserted in the end of the outer pole (1). The surface of the ring ramp (4) provides a ramp along which a curtain ring (3) can pass when being transferred between the inner pole (1) and the outer pole (2). Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a cross-section taken along the line A-A of Figure 2.

This shows how the ring ramp (4) is inserted into the end of the outer pole (1). The ring ramp (4) is annular in shape having a hole in its centre which allows the inner pole (2) to pass through the ring ramp (4) into the outer pole (1) so that the length of the curtain pole can be adjusted.

Although the provision of a ring ramp (4) does reduce the wear on a curtain ring (3) and facilitate movement of the curtain ring, it is necessary to fit the ring ramp (4) firmly into the outer pole (1), which increases the parts inventory required and the labour involved in producing the curtain poles.

In view of the above problems the present invention aims to provide a telescopic curtain pole on which curtain rings can be moved easily between parts of different diameter and which is easy to produce and manufacture.

In accordance with the present invention there is provided a telescopic curtain pole, comprising an inner pole and an outer pole, into which the inner pole can be inserted wherein the outer pole is adapted to provide a ramp surface for the easy transfer of curtain rings from the inner pole to the outer pole.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a diagram of a joint region of a telescopic curtain pole of the prior art; Figure 2 is a diagram of a joint region of a second form of telescopic curtain pole of the prior art; Figure 3 is a cross-section of the joint region of the telescopic curtain pole of Figure 2; Figure 4 is a diagram of a joint region of a telescopic curtain pole in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention; Figure 5 is a plan view of the joint region of the telescopic curtain pole of Figure 4; Figure 6 is a diagram showing one end of the curtain pole of the first embodiment in use; Figure 7 is a diagram of a telescopic curtain pole of a second embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 8 is a diagram of the joint region of a telescopic curtain pole in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 4 is a schematic diagram showing a telescopic curtain pole in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4 shows an outer pole (1), an inner pole (2) and a curtain ring (3). As in a conventional telescopic curtain pole, the outer pole (1) is hollow to permit telescopic insertion of the inner pole (2).

The end of the outer pole (1) into which the inner pole (2) is inserted is cut off at an oblique angle. This provides a ramp surface (la) for a curtain ring (3) to rest upon as it is transferred from the inner pole (2) to the outer pole (1). A curtain ring (3) can therefore be transferred from the inner pole (3) to the outer pole (1) without having to overcome a step formed by the end of the outer pole (1). The wear on a curtain ring (3) and the strain on a curtain can therefore be reduced.

Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of a plan view of the telescopic curtain pole shown in Figure 4. As can be seen in Figure 5, the ramp surface (la) of the outer pole (1) is substantially symmetrical when viewed from above.

This means that when a curtain ring (3) is transferred from the inner pole (2) to the outer pole (1) the curtain ring contacts both sides of the ramp surface (la) at the same time and at a natural gradual angle and on a non weight-bearing part of the ring. This reduces the pressure with which the curtain ring (3) rests against the surface and therefore reduces wear on the curtain ring and makes it easier to transfer a curtain ring from the inner pole (2) to the outer pole (1).

Figure 6 is a schematic diagram showing the telescopic curtain pole of the first embodiment of the present invention in use. Figure 6 shows the telescopic curtain pole (1, 2) on which a plurality of curtain rings (3) have been placed. A curtain (5) is shown hung from the plurality of curtain rings (3). The curtain pole (1, 2) is attached to a wall by a fitting (6). One end of the curtain pole (1, 2) is inserted into the fitting (6) so as to rest in the fitting (6). The other end of the curtain pole is inserted so as to rest in another fitting (not shown).

The orientation of the ramp surface (la) can be adjusted by a user by rotating the outer pole (1), until the ramp surface (la) is orientated so as to provide a substantially symmetrical ramp surface when viewed from above. The orientation of the ramp surface (la) of the curtain pole (1, 2) is then fixed by tightening a screw (7) against the pole, so as to hold the curtain pole (1,2) in place by means of friction. A curtain (5) can then be opened or shut with the curtain rings (3) passing smoothly between the inner pole (2) and the outer pole (1) by travelling along the ramp surface (la).

Figure 7 is a schematic diagram showing the ends of the outer pole (1) of a telescopic curtain pole in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the end of the outer pole (1) which is to be inserted into a fitting (6) has a screw hole (8) into which the screw (7) of the fitting (6) can be inserted. When the screw (7) is inserted in the screw hole (8), this fixes the orientation of the outer pole (1) relative to the orientation of the fitting (6), and hence the orientation of the ramp surface (la) of the other end of the outer pole (1) is also fixed relative to the fitting. Therefore, by providing a screw hole (8) in the end of the outer pole (1) it can be ensured that the ramp surface (la) is at the optimum orientation relative to the fitting (6).

Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of a curtain pole in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the ramp surface (la) of the outer pole (1) does not extend across the whole of the outer pole. It is sufficient that the ramp surface extends so that when a curtain ring (3) is transferred from the inner pole (2) to the outer pole (1) at the point of transfer, a curtain ring (3) can be in contact simultaneously with the upper surface of the inner pole (2) and the ramp surface (la).

Although the foregoing embodiments have been described with reference to cylindrical curtain poles, other shapes of curtain poles such as elliptical curtain poles could also be used.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A telescopic curtain pole comprising a hollow first pole member and a second pole member for telescopic insertion into said first pole member, wherein an end of the first pole member into which the second pole member is to be inserted is cut off at an oblique angle so as to provide a ramp surface to enable smooth movement of a curtain ring placed on the second pole member to the first pole member.

2. The curtain pole of claim 1 wherein the end of the first pole member into which a second pole member is to be inserted is cut off at an oblique angle extending across the entirety of the member.

3. The curtain pole of claim 1 or 2, further comprising fixing means for fixing a curtain pole to a surface, wherein the fixture means are further arranged to fix the orientation of the ramp surface of the first pole member relative to the surface to which the curtain pole is to be fixed.

4. A kit of parts for a telescopic curtain pole comprising: a hollow first pole member; a second pole member for telescopic insertion into said first pole member; and fixing means for fixing a telescopic curtain pole formed by the telescopic insertion of said second pole member into said first pole member, wherein an end of the first pole member into which the second pole member is to be inserted is at an oblique angle.

5. The kit of parts of claim 4 wherein the oblique end of the first pole member extends across the entirety of the member.

6. The kit of claim 4 or 5, wherein said fixing means is arranged to fix the orientation of the ramp surface of the first pole member relative to a surface to which the curtain pole is to be fixed.

7. A telescopic curtain pole as illustrated in any of Figures 4 to

8.