GB2553085B

GB2553085B - Curtain track glider removal member

Info

Publication number: GB2553085B
Application number: GB1612471.1A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Eamonn O'loughlin Thomas
Original assignee: Capricorn Blinds Ltd
Current assignee: Capricorn Blinds Ltd
Priority date: 2016-07-19
Filing date: 2016-07-19
Publication date: 2019-06-12
Anticipated expiration: 2036-07-19
Also published as: GB201612471D0; GB2553085A

Description

CURTAIN TRACK GLIDER REMOVAL MEMBER

The invention relates to curtain track glider removal members, and more specifically to a member designed to be used with a curtain track to allow gliders to be attached to and removed from the track. More particularly, the glider removal member may be suitable for use with curtain tracks of the types used in cubicles, for example in a hospital or changing room.

Curtains, blinds, screens or the like are generally attached to a curtain track using gliders which are clipped or hooked on to the curtain and attached to the track so that they slide along the track. Curtains with integral gliders are also known, for example disposable curtains with gliders welded to the top.

There are two main types of track - one with an internal channel, as shown in Figure 1A, and one with external rails, as shown in Figure IB.

Tracks 100 of the type with an internal channel 112 are arranged to be used with gliders which have a head which is retained within the channel and a shank connected to, or integral with, the head portion which can also be connected to the curtain, e.g. by means of a hook. This type of glider is referred to as an internal glider. Examples of internal gliders 110, 120 are shown in Figures 2A and 2B. The head 114, 124 of each internal glider 110, 120 is held within the channel 112 as it is too wide to fit between inwardly-directed lips or protrusions 102 in the channel. The head 124 may have wheels 125 attached thereto so that the glider 120 can roll along the lips or protrusions 102 in the channel 112. Alternatively, the head 114 may simply be wider than the gap between the lips or protrusions and slide within the channel 112. The shank 106 extends out of the channel 112 and has a curtain attachment means 108 which may be, for example, an eyelet, hook, loop or clip.

Tracks 200 of the type with external rails 202 are arranged to be used with gliders which slot around the track, each glider having two contact portions 214, one arranged to rest on each rail 202. This type of glider is referred to as an external glider. An example of an external glider 210 is shown in Figure 2C. As for internal gliders, the contact portions 214 may have wheels arranged to roll along the rails in some cases. The shank 106 extends from the track 200 and has a curtain attachment means 108 which may be, for example, an eyelet, hook, loop or clip. Any or all of an external glider between the contact portions 214 and the curtain attachment means 108 can be referred to as the shank 106

Other shapes and designs are known, for example with the shank 106 extending at 90° from the head 114, 124 or contact portions 214, such that the opening to the channel 112/the rails 202 may extend horizontally but the curtain hung vertically, for example. Further, the shank 106 may be a flexible linkage such as a chain. The drawings are provided to illustrate the key features.

Curtains need to be detached from, and reattached to, the curtain track at times, for example to allow cleaning or replacement of the curtain. This is done by sliding the gliders off the track at one end to remove the curtain, and sliding them on again to put up a curtain. Space is therefore required at the end of the curtain track to allow the gliders to be detached and reattached. As the end of a curtain track is often near a wall, space can be limited and removing and reattaching a curtain can be awkward and time-consuming. If a larger space is left, a user’s privacy may be compromised due to a gap between the wall and the curtain.

Some curtains have integral gliders, which may be sewn, glued or welded to the curtain material. In such cases, it is necessary to remove the gliders from the track to remove a curtain, rather than doing so simply being preferable as compared to the time-consuming act of detaching a curtain from each glider in turn whilst the gliders remain on the track.

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a glider removal member as claimed in Claim 1.

The glider removal member may have any of the features detailed in the dependent claims.

There now follows by way of example only a detailed description of embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figures 1A and IB are cross-sectional views of prior art curtain track;

Figures 2A to 2C are views of prior art gliders suitable for use with curtain tracks;

Figure 3A is a perspective view of a curtain track with a glider removal member according to an embodiment of the invention, in which the glider removal member is in its first position;

Figure 3B is a perspective view of the curtain track and removal member assembly of Figure 3A, in which the glider removal member is in its second position;

Figures 4A and 4B are side views of the curtain track and removal member assembly of Figures 3A and 3B, with the removal member in its first position and its second position, respectively;

Figures 5A and 5B show two further perspective views of a portion of the curtain track and removal member assembly of Figures 3A and 3B;

Figures 6 is a perspective view of the underneath of the curtain track and removal member assembly of Figure 3B;

Figures 7A and 7B are perspective views corresponding to Figures 5A and 5B, showing use of the assembly with internal gliders, with the removal member in its first position and its second position, respectively;

Figures 8A and 8B are perspective views of the underneath of the curtain track and removal member assembly of Figures 7A and 7B;

Figures 9A and 9B are cross-sectional views of the curtain track and removal member assembly shown in Figures 7 and 8, with the removal member in its first position and its second position, respectively; and

Figure 10A is a side view of a curtain track and removal member assembly of a different embodiment of the invention, in its second positon;

Figure 10B is a perspective cross-sectional view of the curtain track and removal member assembly of Figure 10A in its first position;

Figure 11A is a perspective view of the body portion of the removal member of Figures 3 to 9;

Figure 11B is a side view of the body portion shown in Figure 11A, with dotted lines showing the internal shape;

Figure 11C is an underneath plan view of the body portion shown in Figures 11A and 11B;

Figure 11D is a side view of the body portion shown in Figures 11A-C, shown from the distal end from a curtain track;

Figure 11E is a side view of the body portion shown in Figures 11A-D, shown from the end arranged to be connected to a curtain track;

Figure 12A is a perspective view of the moveable element of Figures 3 to 9, arranged to be used with the body portion shown in Figures 11A to 11C;

Figure 12B is an underneath plan view of the moveable element shown in Figure 12A; and

Figure 12C is a side view of the moveable element shown in Figures 12A and 12B.

In the figures, like reference numerals are used for like features. Similar reference numerals with a different prefix indicate equivalent features in different embodiments.

Figures 3A and 3B show a curtain track and removal member assembly 301. The curtain track and removal member assembly 301comprises a curtain track 300 and a curtain removal member 303, 305 connected to the curtain track 300.

The curtain track 300 has an elongate shape and is arranged to be able to have both internal gliders 110, 120 and external gliders 210 attached to it. The reader is referred to the UK patent application entitled “Curtain Track”, filed on 19 July 2016 by the applicant for the present application and having application number GB 1612469.5 and publication number GB2552335, which is incorporated herein by reference, for further optional details of examples of curtain tracks which are arranged to take both internal and external gliders.

The internal glider attachment means has a channel 112. The channel 112 has an opening along the length of the curtain track. In use, internal gliders 110, 120 slide along the channel 112, with the head 114, 124 of each glider retained inside the channel and the shank 106 extending out of the opening of the channel.

The external glider attachment means has a pair of rails 302. The rails 302 extend along the length of the curtain track. The rails each have a contact surface arranged, in use, to receive the contact portions 214 of the external gliders 210. In use, the contact portions 214 slide along the rails.

In the embodiment being described, one of the rails 302 is located on one side of the channel 112 and the other rail 302 is located on the other side of the channel. The rails 302 project outwards from the walls of the channel 112 and are located adjacent to the opening.

The skilled person would appreciate that the removal member 303, 305 may also be used with different track designs, some of which may take only internal gliders or only external gliders.

The curtain track and removal member assembly 301 also comprises connection means 307, one at each end of the assembly. The connection means 307 may be described as a bracket. The connection means slots around the track 300 and facilitates connection of the track to a wall or other support by means of screws 309. In alternative or additional embodiments, screws, struts or the likes could be used.

In some embodiments, a connection means 307 is provided on one end of the assembly only. In such embodiments, the other end may be free-standing, and/or may have a cap to prevent gliders sliding off.

The glider removal member 303, 305 comprises a body 303 and a moveable element 305. The body 303 of the removal member is connected to the curtain track 300 by a track connector 303a. In the embodiment shown, the track connector 303a is a strut which fits engagingly inside a hollow portion of the curtain track 300. The strut 303a is integral with the body 303 in the embodiment shown. In alternative embodiments, a separate strut may be arranged to be attached to the body, and/or other connection means may be used such as an adhesive, welding, nails, clips or screws, or a strut protruding from the curtain track.

The visible portion 303b of the body 303 is shaped to match the curtain track 300 such that the top of the visible portion of the body 303b is level with the top of the track 300 (in the orientation shown) and the visible portion of the body 303b has the same width as the track 300. The body 303 has a height which is less than that of the curtain track 300 such that the rails 302 of the curtain track 300 are below the body 303.

The gliders 210 could therefore slide off the track 300, below the visible portion of the body 303b of the removal member, if the moveable element 305 was not present. The visible/hollow portion 303b may also be referred to as the glider removal portion 303b, as it is here that gliders can be removed from, and reattached to, the track.

The visible portion 303b of the body 303 is hollow and arranged to receive the moveable element 305 within it. A cross-section of the hollow portion 303b is substantially U-shaped, with the opening of the U-shape facing downwards in the orientation shown in the figures. The hollow portion 303b of the body 303 is arranged to slideably receive the moveable element 305, such that the moveable element 305 can slide perpendicularly to the track direction, as marked by arrow A in Figure 3B.

In the embodiments shown, the moveable element 305 can be moved vertically between a first position (Figure 3 A) in which removal of gliders 210 from the track 300 is prevented and a second position (Figure 3B) in which removal of gliders 210 from the track 300 is allowed.

Positioning means 350, 352, 330, 332a, 332b are provided to prevent the moveable element 305 from slipping between positions or out of position. Corresponding bars 330, 350 on the body 303 and moveable element 305 respectively interlock, so providing an engaging fit between the body 303 and the moveable element 305. Friction between the contact surfaces of the bars 330, 350 prevents movement of the moveable element 305 with respect to the body 303 when there is no deliberate application of force -the friction overcomes gravity and any other forces below a threshold. In the embodiment shown, compression of the lower portion of the moveable element 305 by a user facilitates movement of the moveable element 305.

In the embodiment shown, the moveable element 305 has two bars 350 protruding from its outer surface on each side, the bars 350 being perpendicular to the length of the track (vertical in the orientation shown). These two bars 350 are arranged to slot between three protruding bars 330 on each inner surface of the glider removal portion 303b of the body 303.

In the first position (Figure 3A) the moveable element 305 is lower than in the second position (Figure 3B) in the embodiment shown. In the second position, the lower end of each bar 330 of the body 303 abuts a surface spanning the gap between the bars 350 on the moveable element 305, so preventing further upward movement of the moveable element 305. The second position is therefore the highest position the moveable element 305 can take in the embodiment shown.

In the embodiment being described, the moveable element 305 additionally has a protruding bar 352 perpendicular to and above the pair of protruding bars 350 on each outer surface. In the first position, the protruding bar 352 rests on a protruding ledge 332b on the inner surface of the glider removal portion 303b of the body 303. When the moveable element 305 is pulled downwards, contact between the protruding bar 352 and the ledge 332b prevents the moveable element 205 from being pulled completely out of the body 303 unless a compressive force is applied to the moveable element 305 (e.g. by a user squeezing the lower sides of the moveable element 205 together whilst pulling it downwards). In this way, the moveable element 305 can be removed from the body 303 when a deliberate effort is made to do so, but is unlikely to be accidentally removed.

The inner surface of the glider removal portion 303b additionally has a second protruding ledge 332a on each side, above the first protruding ledge 332b. The protruding bar 352 on the moveable element 305 has a sloping outer surface and the protruding ledge 332a serves to provide increased friction between the body 303 and the protruding bar 352. The increased friction helps to retain the moveable element 305 in the higher position, reducing the chance of unwanted slippage.

In the embodiments shown, the moveable element 305 has a blocking means for preventing the movement of external gliders. In the embodiment shown, the blocking means takes the form of two protruding lips 305a, 305b. In the orientation shown in the figures, the lips 305a, 305b are the lowest part of the moveable element 305.

In the first position, these lips 305a, 305b are arranged to align with the rails 302 of the track 300. The lips 305a, 305b protrude further than the rails 302, at least in the region at each end of the moveable element 305, thereby blocking the movement of external gliders 210. The external gliders 210 cannot move onto or past the lips 305a, 305b, and are thereby held onto the track 300.

In alternative embodiments, the lips 305a, 305b may not protrude further than the rails 302. External gliders 210 may therefore be able to slide onto the moveable element 305 in its first position. In such embodiments, removal of the external gliders 210 from the track 300 is still prevented in the first positon, but movement of the gliders 210 is not blocked. In such embodiments, the moveable element forms an additional portion of the rails of the track 300.

In the second position, the moveable element has been moved upwards such that the lips 305a, 305b are above the rails 302. The second position is sufficiently above the first position for the external gliders 210 to be slid off the rails 302, underneath the lips 305a, 305b. In the embodiment shown, the contact portions 214 of the gliders 210 have a thickness of 3 mm and the vertical displacement between the first position and the second position is 7 mm. The skilled person would understand that the precise dimensions may vary in alternative embodiments and are immaterial to the functioning of the invention provided that the gliders 210 are not blocked by the lips 305a, 305b in the second positon.

In the embodiment being described, each lip 305a, 305b is curved such that it is narrowest in the centre of the moveable element 305 and widest at the edges where the lips 305a, 305b meet the track 300. The curved shape may assist a user by indicating where best to grip the moveable element 305 when sliding it (and when compressing it, if required for sliding and/or removal of the moveable element from the track), and may therefore be thought of as providing an ergonomic grip. This shaping of the moveable element 305 may therefore be described as an ergonomic portion of the moveable element.

In alternative or additional embodiments, the blocking means may take a different form, for example being a single lip on one side of the moveable element 305, or comprising a strut, plate or other protrusion arranged to prevent movement of external gliders on to or past the moveable element 305.

In the embodiment being described, gentle compression of the lower region of the moveable element 305 facilitates sliding of the moveable element within the track connector 303. In use, this gentle compression may be obtained by a user squeezing the lips 305a, 305b together whilst pushing the moveable element 305 upwards or pulling it downwards.

In the embodiment being described, the same glider removal member 303, 305 can also be used for internal gliders 110, 120 as shown in Figures 7 to 9.

The moveable element 305 has a second blocking means for preventing the movement of internal gliders. In the embodiment being described, the moveable element 305 does not have an opening parallel to the channel 112 of the track, but rather has a solid lower surface 305c between the two lips 305a, 305b. This solid surface provides the second blocking means. In the first position, the solid surface 305c at least partially blocks the channel 112 of the track 300, so preventing the movement of internal gliders 110, 120. The internal gliders 110, 120 cannot move onto or past the surface 305c, as their heads 104 hit the surface 305c, and are thereby held onto the track 300.

In alternative embodiments, the lower surface 305c may not protrude further than the walls of the channel. Internal gliders 110, 120 may therefore be able to slide onto the moveable element 305 in its first position. In such embodiments, removal of the internal gliders 110, 120 from the track 300 is still prevented in the first positon, but movement of the gliders 110, 120 is not blocked. In such embodiments, the moveable element forms an additional portion of the channel of the track 300.

In the second position, the moveable element 305 has been moved upwards such that the surface 305c is above the heads 104 of any internal gliders 110, 120. The second position is sufficiently above the first position for the internal gliders 110,120 to be slid out of the channel 112, underneath the surface 305c.

In alternative embodiments, the surface 305c may be replaced with one or more struts or protrusions arranged to be located across, or to protrude into, the channel of the track 300 such that movement of the glider heads 104 is stopped by the struts in the first position and not stopped by the struts in the second position.

In the embodiment being described, the lower surface 305c is not level with the lips 305a, 305b but is curved or angled towards the top of the curtain track 300, with the central portion of the lower surface 305c being highest. The difference in position between the surface 305c and the lips 305a, 305b is used to allow the same vertical displacement between the same two positions to allow and prevent removal of both glider types on this track design.

In the embodiment being described, the body 303 has an end element 303c on the far side of the moveable element 305 from the track 300. The end element 303c is arranged to receive one or more gliders. The end element 303c is referred to as an “end” element as there is no further section of the curtain track beyond it. The end element 303c therefore provides a limit on how far a glider can move away from the track whilst still remaining connected to the removal member, and thereby to the track. In some embodiments, the end element 303c may abut or be connected to a different track or the end element 303c of a different removal member, but gliders on the first track cannot move beyond the end element 303c.

In the embodiments shown, the end element 303c can receive either or both of internal and/or external gliders. In alternative embodiments, the track 300 and/or the end element 303c may be arranged only to receive internal gliders, or only to receive external gliders.

In the embodiment being described, the end element 303c is integral with the body portion 303 of the removal member. The end element 303c has a channel arranged to align with the channel 312 of the track 300 such that internal gliders can be slid onto, and off, the end element 303c. The end element 303c does not have rails 311, but instead has a pair of gaps arranged to receive the contact portions of an external glider. The one or more external gliders held in the end element 303c cannot slide onto or off the end element (at least not when the bracket 307 is in place), but the external gliders have sufficient flexibility that they can be attached and detached by bending the contact portions apart.

In alternative or additional embodiments, the end element 303c may be is shaped to match the profile of the track 300, and therefore can be thought of as an extension to the track. The end element 303c in such embodiments therefore has both a channel 312 and rails 311, and both internal and external gliders can be slid onto it and off it when the moveable element 305 is positioned appropriately.

The end element 303c is arranged to be connected to a wall or other support using a connector 307. In the embodiments shown, the connector is a bracket 307 or wall shoe. A wall shoe is a type of bracket commonly used for curtain tracks, having a lower surface on which the track rests, two sides arranged to be around the same height as the track so that the track is received inside a portion of the bracket, and a back surface arranged to be adjacent to the end of the track and the be connected to a wall. The skilled person would understand that other types of bracket or connector could be used.

The bracket 307 has an indentation or cut-away portion 307a, which may also be thought of as an opening, arranged to receive the shank of an internal glider. In this way, the bracket 307 can support the underside of the end element 303c whilst still allowing an internal glider to be received at or near to the end of the track (viewing the end element as a track extension).

In the embodiment being described, the bracket 307 has two further indentations or cut-away portions 307b, which may also be thought of as openings, arranged to receive the contact portions of an external glider and provides a retaining means to hold one or more external gliders in the end element 303c in place. The openings 307b are parallel.

In alternative embodiments in which external gliders can be slid onto and off the end element instead of being bent to get them on and off, the two further indentations or cut-away portions 307b are arranged to receive the contact portions of an external glider such that the contact portions can reach rails provided by the end element 303c.

In the embodiments shown in Figures 3 to 9, the end element 303c is arranged to receive a single glider. In alternative embodiments, two or more gliders may be received by the end portion 303c.

In the embodiments shown in Figures 3 to 9, the moveable element 305 is arranged to block the movement of gliders on to or past the moveable element. Gliders received in or on the end element 303c are therefore retained on the end element 303c and cannot be pulled away from the end of the track without moving the moveable element 305. The final glider at one end of a curtain is therefore held in position at or directly adjacent to the end of the track, and therefore directly adjacent to a wall or support to which the end of the track is attached. Any gap between the curtain and the wall or support is therefore limited or eliminated, as the glider is close to the wall or support, and may be sufficiently close that the length of curtain between the glider and the end of the curtain fully blocks any gap.

In the embodiment being described, the glider in the end element 303c is arranged to be held within 6 mm of the distal end of the end element 303c as compared to the track, and therefore adjacent to the wall or support to which the track is attached (via the removal member). In additional or alternative embodiments, the glider may be arranged to be held within 2 cm of the wall or support to which the track is attached, preferably within 1 cm, and more preferably within 6 mm. The curtain, and/or the curtain attachment means of the glider (e.g. a hook or eye, which can be wider than the shank) may therefore abut the wall or other support.

More generally, the glider is often held within a glider’s width of the end of the end element 303c, and sufficiently close to the end of a space to be shielded by the curtain that the length of curtain beyond the final glider fully blocks the distance between the final glider and the end of the space to be shielded (i.e. the end of the curtain is in contact with the wall in embodiments in which the end element 303c is connected to a wall, even when the end of the curtain is curved or folded rather than held straight).

By contrast, prior art curtain track systems have brackets or wall shoes which prevent the final glider being within around 5 cm from a wall/the end of the track. Gaps at the edges of the space to be shielded therefore occur, reducing privacy. Further, prior art curtain track systems have no means for holding a glider in place at an extreme end of the space to be shielded, so the curtain can be accidentally knocked, enlarging the gap.

In some uses, the glider removal member 303, 305 may not be attached to a wall or other support, thereby at least partially supporting the track. Instead, the glider removal member 303, 305 may be supported by the track, which may be supported by bars, a frame or the like, and/or which may be connected to a wall elsewhere along its length. In such cases, the glider removal member 303, 305 is still arranged to form an extreme end of the range over which gliders can be positioned/an extreme end of the area to be shielded by the curtain. A retaining means is provided to prevent gliders from gliding (e.g. sliding, or rolling for gliders with wheels) off the distal end of the end element 303c. The retaining means is provided by the bracket 307 in the embodiment shown. In additional or alternative embodiments, the retaining means may be one or more struts or protrusions on the body 303 or the moveable element 305. For example, the end element 303c itself may have struts blocking the channel and rails at its distal end. Additionally or alternatively, the moveable element 305 may prevent movement of the penultimate glider from the track onto the moveable element, so limiting movement of the final glider due to the join between the gliders provided by the curtain. Additionally or alternatively, the end element 303c may abut a wall or other surface, or be sufficiently close to the wall or other surface that a glider cannot fit between the end element 303c and the wall or other surface - the retaining means may therefore be provided by a surface adjacent to the end element rather than a part of the glider removal member itself.

In alternative embodiments, gliders may be able to slide through or past the moveable element 305; the moveable element 305 and end element 303c may effectively form an extension of the track 300. In such embodiments, the internal glider(s) in or on the end element 303c are not held in position there, but can instead glide out. In alternative embodiments in which the end element 303c also has rails, external gliders may similarly slide on to and off the end element 303c and onto the lips of the moveable element 305.

In such embodiments, the minimum gap between the final glider on a curtain and a wall or other support is still reduced as compared to prior art tracks.

In the embodiment shown in Figures 10A and 10B, there is no end element 303c. Instead, a track connector 303a is provided on either side of the glider removal portion 303b of the body 303. The removal member 303, 305 is connected between two track sections 300a, 300b in the embodiment shown. In alternative embodiments, one of the track connectors 303a may be replaced with a connection means suitable for connecting the removal member to a wall or other support.

In general use of the curtain, the moveable element 305 is in a first position in which removal of internal and/or external gliders from the track is prevented. In the embodiments with an end element 303c, at least one glider is arranged to be held in position, so preventing the curtain being slid away from an end of the track 300, therefore preventing accidental gaps which can compromise privacy.

When the curtain is to be taken down, the moveable element 305 is slid into its second position and the curtain can be removed from the track by moving the gliders/the curtain towards and into the gap in the attachment means (i.e. the gap in the rails 311 and the channel 312) where the moveable element 305 previously was. In the embodiments with an end element 303c which holds one or more gliders in position on the far side of the gap in the attachment means from the rest of the gliders, the gliders in or on the end element 303c can be removed first so as to allow the rest of the curtain to be detached from the track with a smooth pulling motion.

When the curtain, or a new curtain, is to be put up, the moveable element 305 is slid into, or retained in, its second position whilst the gliders are attached to the attachment means of the track 300. The last glider is instead attached to the end element 303c in embodiments with an end element. Once all gliders are on the track 300 (or the end element 303c), the moveable element 305 is returned to its first position to prevent accidental detachment of the curtain.

The skilled person would understand that many different removal member 303, 305 designs are possible without departing from the scope of the claims.

The track connector 303a may be designed to allow attachment to various connectors suitable for different track types. Additionally or alternatively, the track connector 303a may itself be adjustable and/or flexible so as to facilitate attachment to tracks of a variety of designs.

Further, the removal member 303, 305 may be used with a curtain track 100, 200 which only accommodates either internal or external gliders, but not both. Due to general standardisation in sizing within industries (e.g. hospitals), the same removal member 303, 305 may be used with a variety of different tracks 100, 200, 300.

Claims

1. A glider removal member for use with a curtain track having: (i) a first attachment means for internal gliders, the first attachment means comprising a channel extending along the curtain track; and (ii) a second attachment means for external gliders, the second attachment means comprising rails extending along the curtain track, the removal member being arranged, in use, to be connected to the curtain track and comprising a moveable element arranged, in use, to be moveable between two positions relative to the rest of the glider removal member, wherein: when the moveable element is in the first position, the removal of both internal gliders and external gliders is prevented; and when the moveable element is in the second position, the removal of both internal gliders and external gliders is allowed, and wherein the moveable element is arranged to remain connected to the rest of the glider removal member when in, and when moved between, the first and second positions.

2. The glider removal member of claim 1, wherein, in use, the moveable element is slidably movable relative to the curtain track.

3. The glider removal member of any preceding claim wherein the moveable element comprises blocking means arranged, in the first position, to block the movement of gliders.

4. The glider removal member of any preceding claim comprising a body arranged to be connected to the curtain track, the body comprising a track connector arranged to connect the body to the track; and wherein the moveable element is slidably connected to the body.

5. The glider removal member of claim 4 wherein the body comprises a glider removal portion arranged, in use, to allow gliders to be removed from the track; and wherein the moveable element is arranged, in use, to be slidably connected to the glider removal portion.

6. The glider removal member of claim 5 wherein the glider removal portion is hollow and comprises a channel in which the moveable element can slide when a force is applied thereto.

7. The glider removal member of claim 5 or claim 6 wherein the track connector is located on a first side of the glider removal portion and the body comprises an end element on the opposite side of the glider removal portion from the track connector, wherein the end element is arranged, in use, to receive at least one glider.

8. The glider removal member of any of claims 4 to 7 wherein the track connector comprises a strut arranged, in use, to fit engagingly within a hollow portion of the curtain track.

9. The glider removal member of any preceding claim wherein the moveable element is arranged, in use, to move in a direction perpendicular to the curtain track length.

10. The glider removal member of any preceding claim as dependent on claim 3, wherein the blocking means comprises an outwardly-protruding lip arranged, in use, to extend further than a rail of the track and thereby to block the movement of external gliders along the rail of the track when the moveable element is in its first position.

11. The glider removal member of any preceding claim as dependent on claim 3, wherein the blocking means comprises a surface arranged, in use, to at least partially block the channel of the track, so blocking movement of internal gliders within the channel of the track when the moveable element is in its first position.

12. The glider removal member of any preceding claim wherein the moveable element can be removed from the track, and wherein further the moveable element is symmetrical such that it can be attached to the track in a first orientation or in a second orientation, wherein the second orientation differs from the first orientation by a rotation of 180°.

13. The glider removal member of any preceding claim wherein the moveable element comprises a central ergonomic portion arranged, in use, to be held by a user when the moveable element is moved.

14. The glider removal member of any preceding claim arranged, in use, to be positioned: (i) between two sections of curtain track; (ii) between a section of curtain track and a wall or other support; or (iii) at an end of a curtain track.

15. The glider removal member of any preceding claim arranged, in use, to be positioned between a section of curtain track and a wall or other support or at an end of a curtain track, the glider removal member further comprising an end element on the opposite side of the moveable element from the curtain track, wherein the end element is arranged in use to either: (i) retain a glider within the end element; or (ii) have an integral curtain attachment means.

16. The glider removal member of any preceding claim further comprising at least one of a first and second positioning means, the first positioning means being arranged to hold the removal member in the first position and the second positioning means being arranged to hold the removal member in the second position.