GB2578280A

GB2578280A - Curtain track system

Info

Publication number: GB2578280A
Application number: GB1814090.5A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Dooner Paul
Original assignee: Dooner Glide Ltd
Current assignee: Dooner Glide Ltd
Priority date: 2018-08-30
Filing date: 2018-08-30
Publication date: 2020-05-06
Anticipated expiration: 2038-08-30
Also published as: GB201814090D0; GB2578280B

Abstract

A curtain track system comprises curtain track or rail 10 and a plurality of curtain runners or rollers or carriages 20. Each runner forms an open ring segment and extends around and beneath the curtain track. At the ends of the open ring segments are bearings which are in contact with upwardly directed surfaces 11 of the track such that, in use, the bearings are the only part of the runners in contact with the track. A gap is provided between the ends of the discontinuous ring segment such that the runner can move past a location for attaching a mounting bracket to the curtain track. The runner may be U, C, or D shaped. The upwardly directed surfaces may be grooves or channels in the track. A channel may be included in the top of the curtain track for attaching a mounting bracket. The curtain track may include an angled (eg curved) section where the elongate axis of the track changes in a horizontal plane. The bearings may be ball bearings having an inner and outer race.

Description

Curtain Track System

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a curtain track system and particularly to a curtain track system suitable for bay windows in which the curtain track follows an angled path in the horizontal direction.

Summary of the Invention

The present invention relates to a curtain track system comprising: a curtain track, and a plurality of movable elements from which a curtain is suspended underneath the track in use which are movable along the curtain track in a direction parallel to the elongate axis of the curtain track, wherein each movable element comprises a discontinuous ring segment with a bearing provided at each end, each bearing being in contact with an upwardly-directed surface of the curtain track with the ring segment extending from each bearing around and underneath the curtain track for suspending the curtain in use, wherein the bearings are the only parts of the movable element in contact with the curtain track in use, and wherein a gap is provided between the ends of the discontinuous ring segment to provide a location for attaching a mounting bracket to the curtain track.

It is envisaged that the discontinuous ring segment may have any suitable shape or profile to perform the desired function when viewed along the elongate axis of the curtain track. Preferred shapes are U-shaped, C-shaped or D-shaped.

The upwardly-directed surface of the curtain track provides, at least in the vertical direction, a vertical component of support to the movable element. The surface may lie at an angle from between just past vertical to horizontal. Preferably, the surface is provided at an angle of between 60 degrees to the horizontal and horizontal. An angle or around 45 degrees has been shown to work well. The surface may be flat or another profile such as concave.

Preferably, the upwardly-directed surface of the curtain track comprises a groove for each bearing to run along, in a direction parallel to the elongate axis of the curtain track.

The groove may have a square or rectangular section, or it may have a curved, concave profile.

The location for attaching a mounting bracket to the curtain track preferably comprises a channel in the top of the curtain track. The mounting bracket is located in the channel and attached by any suitable means, such as screws. In a preferred embodiment, the curtain track system includes a mounting bracket for attaching the curtain track to a surface. In a preferred embodiment, the mounting bracket channel is located between the bearing grooves, and may be located at the top of the curtain track.

As mentioned above, the present invention is particularly suitable for a curtain track system for a bay window. Preferably, the curtain track includes at least one angled section where the elongate axis of the curtain track changes direction in a horizontal plane.

Each bearing is preferably an annular ball bearing having an inner race and an outer race. The inner races are preferably connected to the ends of the ring segment and the outer races are the only parts of the movable element in contact with the curtain track in use. The outer races rotate relative to the inner races and allow movement of the movable elements with significantly reduced friction compared to standard curtain track designs.

Preferably, the ring segment is circular in profile and the axis of rotation of each bearing is tangential to the ring segment at the point of attachment. In a further preferred embodiment, the curtain track is substantially circular in cross-section and the plane of each bearing lies on a radius of the curtain track.

At least in its preferred embodiments, the present invention is particularly advantageous for bay window curtain tracks. Because of the angled path which the curtain track needs to follow, intermediate supports along the length of the track are usually needed, as opposed to supports just at the ends and at a central point where the two curtains meet.

The discontinuous design of the movable element and ring segment provides a gap, preferably at the top of the curtain track, for attaching a mounting bracket to the curtain track. The movable elements are able to move past the mounting brackets and movement is not obstructed by the presence of brackets in any location. Therefore, as many mounting brackets as necessary can be provided.

The advantages of the invention apply equally however to straight curtain tracks, or any other forms of curtain tracks. For example, a long run requiring intermediate mounting brackets can be achieved with the system of the present invention.

Brief Description of the Drawings

An embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 shows an end perspective view of a curtain track system in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention; Fig. 2 shows a side elevation of the curtain ring of Fig. 1; and Fig. 3 shows a plan view of a curtain track for use with a bay window in accordance with the invention.

Detailed Description of a Preferred Embodiment

With reference to Fig. 1, a curtain track system in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention comprises a curtain track 10, curtain ring 20 and a mounting bracket 30.

Curtain track 10 is generally circular in cross-section and has an elongate axis A (also shown in Fig. 3), parallel to which the curtain rings 20 are moved when the curtains are drawn. Two grooves 11 are provided for the curtain rings to more in as will be described below, and a channel 12 for the mounting bracket is also provided. Channel 12 runs in an elongate direction along the top of the curtain track, and a groove 11 is provided on either side of the channel.

Each groove 11 has a curved, concave profile. Channel 12 has a rectangular profile with a flat bottom.

With reference to Figs. 1 and 2, curtain ring 20 comprises a circular ring segment 21 with an annular ball bearing 22 at each end. The inner race of each bearing is connected to an end of the ring segment and the outer races are configured to contact with and run along the grooves 11. The outer races are the only parts of the movable element in contact with the curtain track in use. The axis of rotation of each bearing 22 is tangential to the ring segment 21 at the point of attachment and the plane of each bearing lies on a radius of the curtain track 10.

A further attachment ring 23 is provided to facilitate attachment of the curtain to the curtain ring 20.

Returning to Fig. 1, mounting bracket 30 is mounted to a wall W and extends outwards and downwards to terminate in a plate 31. Plate 31 is configured to fit into channel 12 and is provided with two fixing holes 32 for screw attachment to curtain track 10.

Figs. 1 and 3 both show the curtain track 10 has an angled section 13 where the elongate axis A turns through an angle to match the horizontal profile of a typical bay window. The actual angle can of course be adapted in practice to match the profile of a specific bay.

The discontinuous design of the curtain ring 20 provides a gap at the top of the curtain track, enabling the mounting bracket 30 to be fixed in channel 12 without impeding the movement of the curtain rings along the elongate axis.

The system of bearings 22 and grooves 11 allow the curtain rings to move with significantly reduced friction compared to standard curtain track designs.

Claims

Claims 1. A curtain track system comprising: a curtain track, and a plurality of movable elements from which a curtain is suspended underneath the track in use which are movable along the curtain track in a direction parallel to the elongate axis of the curtain track, wherein each movable element comprises a discontinuous ring segment with a bearing provided at each end, each bearing being in contact with an upwardly-directed surface of the curtain track with the ring segment extending from each bearing around and underneath the curtain track for suspending the curtain in use, wherein the bearings are the only parts of the movable element in contact with the curtain track in use, and wherein a gap is provided between the ends of the discontinuous ring segment to provide a location for attaching a mounting bracket to the curtain track.
2. The curtain track system of claim 1, wherein the ring segment is U-shaped or C-shaped.
3. The curtain track system of claim 1 or 2, wherein the upwardly-directed surface of the curtain track comprises a groove for each bearing to run along, in a direction parallel to the elongate axis of the curtain track.
4. The curtain track system of any preceding claim, wherein the location for attaching a mounting bracket to the curtain track comprises a channel in the top of the curtain track.
5. The curtain track system of any preceding claim, further comprising a mounting bracket for attaching the curtain track to a surface.
6. The curtain track system of any preceding claim, wherein the curtain track includes at least one angled section where the elongate axis of the curtain track changes direction in a horizontal plane.
7. The curtain track system of any preceding claim, wherein each bearing is a ball bearing having an inner race and an outer race, the inner races being connected to the ends of the ring segment and the outer races being the only parts of the movable element in contact with the curtain track in use.
8. The curtain track system of any preceding claim, wherein the ring segment is circular and the axis of rotation of each bearing is tangential to the ring segment at the point of attachment.
9. The curtain track system of any preceding claim, wherein the curtain track is substantially circular in cross-section and the plane of each bearing lies on a radius of the curtain track.