US1701793A

US1701793A - Awning

Info

Publication number: US1701793A
Application number: US198625A
Authority: US
Inventors: Nels H Nelson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1927-06-13
Filing date: 1927-06-13
Publication date: 1929-02-12
Anticipated expiration: 1946-02-12

Description

Feb. 12, 1929.

' N. NELSON AWNING' Filed Julie 1:5, 192? 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 N. H. NELSON:

AWNING Filed June 13, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 1?. H. JYELs ozr elem-ea 1a, 1929.

wunsn. innnson, OF nns Memes, IOWA.

AWNING.

Application mar June 13,

The primary object ofthis invention is 1 I to PEOVlClQfiIl lmproved construction for a rel erlnounted awning 'adapte d to b'e stored in housingatthetop' of a window opening or the likewhen not desired for use and arranged for different positions of 'ad ust- I nient so that it inaylbe'variably positioned stor for 'shadeandfor storm protection and for covering a screen or window glass and also for controlling entilation.

A further object of the invention is to provide improved bracket means "for supoortin a housin adaDtedto contain a flexible element such "asan awning and "also means :for locking the housing in the su pporting bracket.

Another objectoftheinvention is topro 'vide an improved supporting means forthe housing, which supporting means alsofconstitutes a cap "ior closing the end of the housing and 'for'providin'g Ventilating means to the housing.

Still another object is to provide improved 'niea'ns for locking; together the walls ofa housing across a longitudinalslot therein, there/b reducing the cost of inaiiufactu're and also permitting access to the housing at an Y time without in'uri'n "()rinutilatin 4 2'; t3

the parts thercoftffoi the purpose 01 making repairs to the roller mi'iniiting'or fo'rreplacing: the flexible member carried thereby.

A. further object is to'provide an improved binder strip 'ior thelower edge otthe awninn, which strip also constitutes aineanstior reui'ovably receiving the central part of'the U-shaped yoke which controls the movement or like ornamental stripto the outer edge of the anfnin'g'saidmeans including anat- La hing clip which. -,also serves as a A wear plate orbumper to prevent "the clothf J m rubbiijig out-he housing when the awning; is

theren i i i Amer-her object otif the invention;ism

'ticlila 1927. Serial No. 198,625.

provide an improved construction for a "spring bumper means which is'clesig'ned to throw the awning frame "past center and facilitate the operation of withdrawing the awning fronrthe housing; said spring means also being utilized for holding? tubes 1 1n 1 uprig-lit. position during installation o ftheewnand thereby facilitating this operation.

Another object is to provide improved snap hooks "forconnecting-the "controlling ropes "to theawning frame and forholding the bindier strip in proper posit-ion relative to the Y lei-shaped frame;

Ai ur'iher object is to providenn improved has its casing notched at the ends to reduce friction on the ropes (and also arched upwardly in the centerto *redueeirietionx on the awning is being raise 1th these and oCherob -ects inview, my invention consists in the construction arthe ropes as they are beingpaid out while 'rangeinen't "and combination *oif elements hereinafter set forth, pointed out in the e ai ins and indicated hy "the accompanying *l'rawings inwhich: i

Fig. 1 is a perspective 'viow illustrating my improved awning installed for practical use on a windowfranie and showing the awning partially withdrawn from the housing for the purpose of shading thewindow open- 111;.

liigr. 2' is anend' View of the elements shown in, Finns1, theawningbeing stored in the ho 'ising. I p

Fig. detail'siide elevation illustrating the manner in which the spring bumper meansiengages one o f'the tubes 'for holding it in upright position during the operation of installation. H I Q Figs. s, '5 and 6, are diag' annnatic side views showing the awning in difierenttpositions: Fig. showing th'e awning partly tion'lo'r shading a window opening, and v p 6 showing it extendedentirely across opening; in s'i'ibstantiail'ly vertical plane. ll 3a? is a detaildsectional View on the line- "7 7 of 1., showing one arm' of the M-shaped the tubes.

yoke slidably received in one of Fig. 8 is a perspective i iew of o portion e housing l RENT f'oFFrcE, i

withdra wnfliig. 5 showing it in the ordinary double pulley for the controlling ropes "which i and closes the longituzflinal slot of the hous- Fig. 12 is a detail section on the line 12l2 of Fig. 1, showing the method of attaching the flexible member to the binder strip.

Fig. 13 is a detail section on the line- 13l3 of Fig. l and showing the method by which the snap heck of the controlling rope engages the central part ofthe U- shaped frame thr ugh a notch in the binder strip.

Fig. 14 is a detail perspective view of a portion of the binder strip having a notch therein and also a slit for receiving the clip which is employed. to attach the fringe to the binder strip.

Fig. 15 is a detail section on the line 15-15 of 1, showing particularly the method of attaching the fringe to the binder strip.

Fig. 16 is a perspective view of one of the clips employed for attaching the fringe or other ornamental strip.

Fig. 17 is an elevation of a pulley employed for receiving and fastening the controlling ropes.

In the drawings, I have employed the numeral 20 to designate generally a sheet metal housing for the awning, which housing is designed to be mounted. at the top of a window frame 21 or the like. The housing 20 is formed of a sheet of metal bent in.- to substantially square form in cross section. The bottom wall 20 and front wall 20 are formed from the opposite side marginal portions of the sheet and do not quite abut at their edges but are slightly spaced apart to form a slot 22 which extends longitudinally of the housing at the lower forward corner thereof. hlounted across the interior of the housing and spaced somewhat from the respective ends thereof, are flanged partit-itnis 23. A roller is mounted for rotation centrally of the housing 20 and has its end portions journaled in the partitions 23. A flexible awning member 25 such as a piece of canvas or the like is attached at one end of the roller 2% and is adapted to be extended through the slot- 22 of the housing at times. The roller 24: is provided with a spring 26 which tends to rotate the roller in one direction so as to wind the awning 25 thereon.

Heretofore, it has been the custom to mount housings such as 20 containing roller mounted flexible members directly upon a structure such as the window frame 21 by means of screws or other fastening members passing through oneor more walls of the housing between the partition such as 3 and the ends of the walls, all of the walls being rigidly attached to the partitions by spot welding or other suitable means. Under, such construction, the spot welding of the forward and bottom walls of the housing would not be applied until after the flexible member on its roller had been mounted in the housing and the spring tension of the roller had been adjusted to suit the particular need, after which the spot welding would be applied. to rigidly secure the forward and lower walls'of the housing. In the event it became necessary to remove the roller for repairs or readjustment of the tension or for )lacing the flexible member, it was then necessary to apply force sufficient to detach the forward and bottom walls from the partitions in order to enlarge the longitudinal slot by outward bending of said walls somewhat lDUlCHted by dotted. lines in Fig. 8. This operation not only required considerable work, but also resulted in greater or less distortion of some of the members of the housing and in some instances, insuch injury as to require the replacement of the entire housing. In addition to this difliculty it was also more or less troublesome to mount the housing by the method I have mentioned. To overcome these difficulties and to facilitate the installation of the housing and also its removal and manipulation for purposes of repair or the like, I have provided a new method of supporting the housing by means of separate brackets and also a new method ol' dctachably securing the forward and bottom walls of the housing.

By my improved method the bottom wall 20 and forward wall 20 are not rigidly attached to the partitions 23. Metal loops 2'? are formed on the inner faces of these walls in'a vertical plane between each purtition Q3 and the adjacent free ends of the walls, as clearly shown in Fig. 8. These loops may be. produced by forming parallel slits in the metal of the walls and pressing the material between the slits inwardly. A key 28 is formed from a s'trip of metal having its end portions tapered and. bent at right angles to the strip in planes perpendicular to each other. This key, which is shown in detail in Fig. 10, is employed to lock the

walls

20 and 20 together by in sertion of the tapered ends within the loops 27 of said walls. the body of the lcey extending across the corner of the housing and over the slot 22 shown in Fig8".5'0110 ch end oat of these keys is "employed at theihousing and theyare insertedmatter-the and flexible member-from the 'l11ousing;-the

keys 28 maybe readily removed and the Walls and 20 spread apart suiiieiently to pernnt the passage of the roller and flexlble member .wlthout causing any damage to the housing; ll he'n the keys are inserted," the tapered shape of their ends byv engaging the loops 2? serve to draw the

Walls

20 and 20 tightly against themargins of the par titions As heretshowni, the loops 2'? of the housing wvalls projected "through.

slots 27 formed in the dances of thebar m c 7 r t the top and rear Walls of tition members. the housing; are rigidly attached to the flanges of the partitions by means of spot Welding atthe points 29.

For the support of the housing on a frame such as 21 I have provided yokeshaped brackets 30 one of which is clearlyshovvn in Fig. 93 Each bracket 30 is'formed with -screwholes 31 in its central portion by means of which it maybe rigidly attached and it may also'have similar holes 31 in its top and'bottom members if desired for convenience in .mounthig in certain locations The brackets 30am of ashape to fit snugly the outside of the housing 20 and'preferably' engage said housing near its respective ends and adjacent the partitions 23. The ends of the=brackets 30: are rolled outwardly to torward margin of the housing. A key 33 is termed oi a piece of Wire or light rod having its end portions bent at rig'ht angles and adapted to be inserted in the upper and i e i latch-8 is ward movement of the housing ronr the bracket after it is installedthcreim said key then extending across the front ofthehousinn? Eachlnacket 30 also includes an end all 345, formed integrally with-the-central' portion of the bracket and bent into a plane coinciding with the outer margins otthe end as nn'xy be carried by the forward margin oil the end wall 34- and arranged to engage said key after it is placed in position; In

the present instance, I have shown'the latch 8511s composed of apiece of Wll'Q'lOElli? to form a portion your'nalled in an eye 86 orbearing formed on the forward'margin of the end- Wall. The. bod portion of the zon'tal "plane-end isadapted to: bCSfijtlllg across theopenend of the SLQQP'OIUSO and is also bent to tormalip 8'7 tofrictio'nally engagethe key'EiSand hold 'the -same in place as indicated in Fig. 1." It is obvious that other --for1ns' of latching means, for the key may be employed if desired. The end Walls 34' may also "be provided Withthe screw h'oles 31 itdesired it maybe'conyenient at times to mount the supports 30 by means of screws extending throughsaid member.

It desirable to provide means for the circulatioirot aii"-throngh the housiing to dry out the flexible member 25*iaftei' it has become damp i and prevent moldin or other deterioration. l This 'may conveniently be done by extending the openings in the partitions'23 totormelongated slots 38 and also by providing openings-39 in-the end members 3401 the supports; 5 Dheope'nings 38 and 89 preferablyare staggered so as to prevent the entrance of rain or -s'now to the interior of the" housing.

A-binder strip is provided-fin" theouter margin of the awvning'cloth25, which strip is composed of sheet metalextending the lull length of-the *cloth -and bent at: one marginal portion to formiahook or trough 4-0 wvhich preferably is rectangular in. cross section as shown inFigsQB; 14 and 15,

said trough being-located on the rear' side otthe device or the t-side toward the window frame 21? The oppositegmarginal"portion ofthe'binder -stripiis' bent totorm a fold 41 substantlally parallel and spaced "torformeyes 32, which eyes project beyond the and the told 41 and spaced from both,

shownin Fig: 12. The-outerm"tree margm of the awningmloth 25 doubled upwardly andforwardly upon itself-and this doubled portion 15 then itoldedreamvardly --and secured together by a line of stitching spaced-slightly from the inner told 44- ot the "cloth -The folded portion of the binderstrip is then caused to engage the rearwardly folded portion of the cloth and extend around suchportion with the flange d2 engaging between the line" of stitchin as and the-innermost fold 5 4 of-the clotln as shown in'Fig; 12; Thereatter a slight pressure isapplied tothe'foldedportion of the binder strip to compress it upon the tolded portions of the cloth and thereby cause a permanent connectionbetween the metal and cloth. A longitudi nil bend or angle 46 is produced in the'binder strip at a point adjacentthe 'lOWGlT llltll''lll ot the cloth so that the hooked part of the strip projects forwardlyof the plane of the'body of the cloth? By--thisarrangement, any

wvater' which may fallupon and run down then turner-laintwardly in hori 4 joint between the cloth and metal and the seam between said members is rendered waterproof and dirt-proof.

I provide a yoke-shaped frame, preferably made of a rod suitably bent and hav-.

ing its central member t? received within the rearwardly turned book 10 of the binder strip which hook preferably has some re the stud ll) of each hinge on either side of the frame is a tubular member 50 whic is open at both ends. The arms 51 of the U-shaped frame heretofore referred to, are slidably received in the tubular members 50 and the free ends of said arms are limited in their movement into the tubes by the studs -19.

Suitable cords or ropes 52 are provided for controlling the movement of the awning and its position and I have here shown two of such ropes, one at each side of the awning. Each rope 52 has attached to its upper end, a hook 53 adapted to engage the rod 47 through a notch 54 in the hook portion 40 of the binder strio. 53 frictionally engage the rod 47 so that they are not readily removable therefrom. This provides a detachable connection of the ropes to the awning structure and also serves to hold the binder strip against longitudinal movement on the rod 17. The ropes 52 extend, through pulleys 55 mounted at the lower portion of the window frame and thence extend inwardly toward the median line of the frame. Mounted on the outer eentral portion of the window sill is a pulley housing 56 which is open at its forward and rear sides and carries two pulleys 57 arranged side by side on vertical pivots. The ropes 52 extend around the pulleys 57 and then inwardly side by side across the window sill. The end walls of the pulley housing 56 are notched on their outer sides at 58 to permit the passage of the ropes without frictional engagement with said walls. The housing 56 also is arched upwardly at 59 in its central pertion to permit the ropes 52 to travel in superposed relation at times as they have a tendency to do when the awning being contracted. rapidly into the housing by uncontrolled action of the spring roller. Mounted on the inner central portion of the window sill is a pulley bracket 60 having a pulley 61 pivoted therein on a horizontal axis transversely of the window frame. The pivot of the pulley 61 preferably is a pin 52 which projects a material C at each side of the bracket and provides a The hoolrs means for coiling the ropes 52 thereon for the purpose of retaining the awning in any position of extension which may be desired. Both ropes 52 are extended beneath the pulley 61 and arranged as clearly shown in Fig. l for control of the awning by a person located within the building of which the window frame 21 forms a part.

The lower wall 20' of the housing preferably is turned downwardly at the margin of the slot 22 to form a flange 63 extending longitudinally of the housing and the forward wall 20 preferably is folded and turned outward slightl y as a bead (let. ll hen the awning is contracted within the l'iousing and rolled upon. the roller 21 the binder strip on the free edge of s d. awning engages the bead and the hooked portion -l0 of said strip engages behind the flange 63, thereby practically closing the slot 22, as best shown in Fig. 11 and lnreventing the entrance of rain, snow, or sleet to the housing. It will be understood that normally, the spring of the roller 24 will hold the awning 25 wound on the roller with the binder strip projecting partially within the casing and partially outside, in embracing relation to the flange 63.

lVhen the awning is wound on the roller and the parts are positioned as shown in Fig. 2, the position of the rod 47 in the hooked. portion 40 of the binder strip is in a vertical plane outside of the plane of the pulleys 55. It will thus be seen that when draft is applied to the ropes 52 and they are drawn inwardly across the window sill and through the

pulley devices

60 and 56, there will be a tendency to swing the rod portion l? of the U-shaped frame outwardly and downwardly. The arms 51 of the U- shaped frame slide in the tubes 50 the portion 47 travels in a curved path relative to the window frame. This operation of course, withdraws the awning from the housing and it may be stopped and held in any position of such travel by securing the ropes 52. The outer end of the awning will be held away from the window by the tubes 50 and the fabric 25 will at all times be held taut. by the tension of the spring roller.

rdinarily the arms 51 project into the tubes as far as they will go except when the awning approaches its upward limit of move ment as it is being wound into the casing or as it approaches its downward limit o l movement as hereinafter described. 'lhree positions of such travel are indicated by the diagrams in Figs. 4, 5, and (5. Fig. l shows a position which is attained a short time after the above movement is started and Fig. 5 shows a position where the awning is in one of its most useful arrangements for providing shade for the window, although 7 the movement may be continued u'n the tubes 50 are prar lly .lli'lilztfilllltl lie prevent vibration and rattling of the parts;

sired. Fig. 6 shows a position wherein the awning has been pulledcleardown andex tends entirely across the windowopeningrin a substantially vertical plane. .It will be noticed that afterthe rod ll' and tubes 50 have reached a certain point in their ,arcuate travel the rods 51 will. again slide outwardly.

of the tubes until. they reash the position of Fig. 6, which outward movement will of course, vary with the wrtical dimension of the windmv frameand the vertical spacing of the hinge brackets 48 abm e the Window sill. "The parts are so arranged that the arms 51 can never be Wholly withdrawn from the tubes 50 in such movement.

I have also provided. an improved cushioa ing and anti-rattling meanse for theawning frame, which 1s shown .11] F1gS.: 1, 2. and.

This means .com QIISGS a sarin at- 3. tached to each: side of the windowframeem;

The springs .65 are located just above the hinge brackets/l8 and be secured and held behind said brackets,;as shown. Each impact 01" said tubes if the ropes 52 should happen to be released and thespring'roller allowed. to drawup the awmng andrthe' frame so rapidly that the momentum would swing the tubes against the Windowframe.

position until the installation is completed. Art 1'- u1a,=u1e springs 65 are returned to their normalf positions, tl1us-releasing the tubes for their] pivotal movement.

It is sometimes 'de end (if the awning, which strip maybe in.

I I ble to provided-an .1- ornamental strip for the freeedgecr outer thenature of a fringe or scallop. 1t not desirable however, to have such ornamental strip permanently"attached to the awning because it could not be received Within the housing when the awningis Wound up and consequently' "would become soiled more making it detachable, the ornamental strip quicklythan the body of the "awning. -,By

maybe removed and 'cleaned'at any time months when the awning isnotused extenacterdescribed is indicated bythe reference tachably securing the strip" 68,1 employ a sive'ly. fern-ornamental strip of the char and. alsouna'y be removed during winter" number 01" clips 69, one which is shown v1n Fig. 16. Each cl p 69 COH'IP'IlSQSEif SllOl'l?" strip of metal having a tongue 70 punched in one end and pressed from 'theplaneoit theclip. At 1n'tervals,the upper face of the hooked portion 40 'of'the binder strip of the awning is provided with slots each adapted to receive altongue 70 of one of the attaching clips. To attach'the' strip fid it is laid.along theupperface'of the bu1 .er strip and the clips 69 are applied by pressing tl ieir tongues'ZO through the material of the ornamental strip. 68'and through 2 the slots 7101 the binder strip and then" so that .clinch'ingxthem on .the "rear face thereof. fTlie' ornamentalstrip GS preferably extends hen the awning isfdrawnentirely withiir'the clips 69 serve to holdthe strip 68 firmly n place extending over thelnnder. strip of tubes 50 so that when draft isfirstapplied to the ropes 52 to pull the awningout' of the the awningand hanging down over the front edge thereof. The clips. 69 also ,serveto protect the ornamentalstrip" Gil-from actual contact with the bead 6 1 of the housing when the 1 awning is wound on the roller. As

housing, the springs actto push the tubes J sh w in Fig: k1 h clip 69 may be formed.

50 away from the window frame'and'thus assist in the operation, as indicated in Fig. The tension of springs 65 also serves to The springs 65 have another function which is illustrated in Fig.3. In the ope oil. each tube 50, as shown in Figf whereby the tubes are yleldmgly held in upright .With' a tODgUQTO at each end but one of the tongues is not bent out of the plane of the" "clipeuntil-i't required foruse in the event use. l It is apparent that I have providedgan the other is broken or bent out of shapein eilicient awning which is simple or construe-i tion and installation and efiiective' in use for window opening 'or the "like and one which is provided with,amplemeans for protecting its parts, particularly whennot covering a in use. As the awning fabric is entirely withdrawn within the housing, it is apparent vthat the awning may be left in place per manently, thus doing away with the neceslsity or seasonally removing and replacing it. I have also provided effective means for overcoming many of the difficulties which have heretofore been encountered in the manufacture, installation and use of a device of this kind, as herein pointed out.

It is my purpose to cover by my claims, any nodified forms of structure or use of mechanical equivalents which may be reasonably included within their scope and within the scope of my invention.

I claim:

1. In a device of the class described, a housing formed with a longitudinal slot, partitions extending across said housing near the ends thereof and arranged to support a roller, the walls of the housing adjacent said slot being detached with respect to said partitions whereby they may be bent outwardly of their normal positions for enlarging said slot to facilitate removal and replacen'icnt of said roller, and locking means adapted to extend across said slot into engagement with the housing walls on opposite sides thereof to hold. them in their normal positions.

2. A device of the class described, comprising a housing, two of the walls of said housing being spaced apart at their adjacent margins to form a slot longitudinally of the housing, partitions extending across the housing near the ends thereof and rigidly attached to the other walls of the housing and arranged to support a roller, tllG-llOUS- ing walls adajcent said slot being detached with respect to said partitions whereby they may be sprung away from the margins of the partitions at times for enlarging said slot to facilitate removal and replacement of the roller, and a key adapted to extend across said slot into engagement with the detached housing walls for holding them in their normal positions.

3. A. device of the class described, comprising a housing, two of the walls ofsaid housing being spaced apart at their adjacent margins to form a slot longitudinally of the housing, partitions extending across the housing near the ends thereof and rigidly attached to the other walls of the housing and arranged to support a roller, the housing walls adjacent said slot being detached with respect to said partitions whereby they may be sprung away from the margins of the partitions at times for enlarging said slot to facilitate remo *al and replacement of the roller, said detached walls having loops on their inner margins outside of said partitions, and a key adapted to extend diagonally across that corner of the housing containing said slot and having tapered portions for insertion in the loops of said housing walls for drawing and holding them in their normal positions.

a. In a device of the class described, a housing, lJ-shaped supporting brackets corresponding in size and shape with the cross sectional area of the housing and adapted to receive and support the same, and latching means extending across the open side of each lJ-shaped bracket to prevent removal of the housing therefrom.

5. In a device of the class described, a housing, U-shaped supporting brackets corresponding in size and shape with the cross sectional area of the housing and adapted to receive and support the same, each U-shapcd bracket being formed at its ends With'eyes projecting beyond the housing, and a looking key having portions arranged for insertion in said eyes to prevent removal of the housing from said brackets.

6. In a device of the class described, a housing, U-shaped supporting brackets corresponding in size and shape with the cross sectional area of the housing and adapted to receive and support the same, an end wall integrally formed on the central portion of each U-shaped bracket, and designed to pro- ,vide an GIICIOSI'HJGIOI one end of said housing, and latching means extending across the open side of each U-shaped bracket to prevent removal of the housing-therefrom.

7. In a device of the class described, a housing, U-shaped supporting brackets corresponding in size and shape with the cross sectional area of the housing and adapted to receive and support the same, each U-shaped bracket being formed at its ends with eyes projecting beyond the housing, a locking key having portions arranged for insertion in said eyes to prevent removal of the housing from said brackets, an end wall integrally formed on the central portion of each U- shaped bracket and designed to provide an enclosure for one end of said housing, and latching means carried by the free margin of said end wall for engaging said key and holding it in place.

8. In a device ofthe class described, a housing formed with a longitudinal slot, said housing being formed with rigid partitions near its ends, a removable cap member for each end of the housing, and staggered ventilating openings in the caps and partitions for admitting currents of airto the housing and yet preventing the entrance of rain and snow thereto. I

9. In adevice of the class described, having a roller mounted flexible element and a swinging U-shaped frame, a binder strip at tached to the free margin of said flexible element, said binder strip being formed with a rearwardly directed longitudinal hooked portion adapted to receive the central poi tion of said U-shaped frame.

10. In a device of the class describe-d having a roller mounted flexible element and a swinging U-shaped frame, a binder strip attached to the free margin of said flexible element, said binder strip being formed with a ment may engage the central portion of said rearwardly directed longitudinal hooked portion adapted to receive the central portion of said U-shaped frame, and a draft element having a hook at one end, a notch in the hooked portion of the binder strip through which the hook on said draft ele- U-shaped frame.

11. In a device of the class described including a flexible element and a pivoted U- shaped frame, a binder strip attached to the free margin of said flexible element, said binder strip being formed with a rearwardly directed longitudinal hooked portion adapt:- ed to receive the central portion of said U- shaped frame, said binder strip having its opposite portion folded around the free marginal portion of the flexible element and being bent outwardly longitudinally immediately below said flexible element where by the joint. between said members is rendered water-proof and dirt-proof.

12. In a device of the class described including a housing formed with a longitudinal slot and with a downturned flange at the rear margin of said slot and a roller mounted flexible element in said housing adapted to be extended through said slot, a binder strip attached to the free margin of said flexible element, said 1 inder stripbeing formed with a rearwardly directed hooked portion, said binder strip adapted to extend partially within said housing and into engagement with the forward wall of said slot when the flexible element is completely retracted and with its hooked portion engaging behind the flange of the housing to completely close the slot therein.

13. In a device of the class described in cluding a housing formed with a longitudinal slot and a roller mounted flexible element in said housing adapted to be extended through said slot, :1 metal binder strip attached to the free margin of said flexible element, an ornamental strip of flexible character, and means for detachably connecting said ornamental strip to the binder strip whereby the ornamental strip forms a continuation of the flexible element.

14. In a device of the class described, in cluding a housing formed with a longitudinal slot and a roller mounted flexible element in said housing adapted to be extended through said slot, a metal binder strip attached to the free margin of said flexible element, an ornamental strip of flexible character, and attaching clips having tongues extending through the ornamental strip and through said binder strip. for detachably connecting the ornamental strip whereby it forms a continuation of the flexible element.

15. In a device of the class described, in-

eluding a housing formed with a longitudinal slot and a roller mounted flexible element in said housing adapted to be extended through said slot, a metal binder strip attached to the free margin of said flexible ele ment, an ornamental strip of flexible character, and attaching clips having tongues extending through the ornamental strip and through said binder strip for detachably connecting the ornamental strip, whereby it forms a continuation of the flexible element, said attaching clips being mounted on the outer face of the ornamental strip and serving to engage thehousing at one edge of the slot therein and thereby prevent contact of the ornamental strip with the housing.

16. In a device of the class described having a roller mounted flexible element and a U-shaped frame having its central portion engaging the free edge of said flexible element, pivotally mounted tubes adapted to receive the ends of said U-shaped frames for slidingmovement, and cushioning springs mounted behind said pivoted tubes and having seats for engaging the same when the tubes are in substantially upright position, sai d seats being separable, whereby they may engage oppositesides of the tubes at times for supporting them in upright positions.

17. In a device of the class described includin g a roller mounted flexible element and a U-shaped frame engaging said flexible ele ment and having a pivotal mounting to a structural frame, a draft element connected to each side of said til-shaped frame, pulleys mounted at the lower corners of the structur- 'al frame for receiving said draft elements, a

clu ding a roller mounted flexible element an d a U-shaped frame engaging said flexible element and having a pivotal mounting to a structural frame, a draft element connected to each side of said U-shaped frame, pulleys mounted at the lower corners of the structural frame for receiving said draft'elements,a single pulley housing at the lower centralportion of the structural frame, and two pulleys mounted side by side in said housing to receive said draft elements, said pulley housing being arched upwardly at its central portion to permit superposition of the draft elements therein, and a single pulley mounted rearwardly of said pulley housing for receiving both ofsaid draft elements and provided with a fastening means there for. c

NELS H. NELSON.