US2498963A

US2498963A - Curtain stretcher roller

Info

Publication number: US2498963A
Application number: US647914A
Authority: US
Inventors: James V Piercey
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1946-02-15
Filing date: 1946-02-15
Publication date: 1950-02-28
Anticipated expiration: 1967-02-28

Description

Feb. 28, 1950 J. v. PIERCE'Y 2,498,953

CURTAIN STRETCHER ROLLER Filed Feb. 15, 1946 Patented Feb. 28, 1950 g T'T UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE James V. Piercey, Chicago, Ill.

Application February 15, 1946, Serial No. 647,914

The invention relates to a roller device for conveniently and quickly attaching curtains and similar fabrics to a curtain stretcher.

A curtain stretcher of the type with which the roller device is used comprises four side frame members adjustably connected to each other at their ends to form a square or rectangular frame of suificient dimensions to accommodate the curtains to be stretched or dried thereon. To 'maintain the curtain on the curtain stretcher frame, a row of small pins are secured to each side frame member so that they project therefrom. The pins may be immovably secured to the frame members or secured in such a manner that they may 'be slid along the frame member until spaced so as to hold the curtain without undue tension at any one portion.

A curtain is attached to a curtain stretcher of this type by manually engaging the edge of the curtain with the individual pins. This is accomplished by the operator holding the curtain near its edge and pushing the curtain edge successively over the pins against the curtain stretcher frame. While this manner of attachment provides a secure engagement of the curtain with the pins, such method is inconvenient and unpleasant in that the hands and fingers of the operator are being constantly pricked by contact with pin points. Moreover, such method of attaching the curtain to the stretcher is slow and laborious.

Despite these objections, the conventional curtain stretcher is widely used because of the efficiency with which the curtain is dried without wrinkling and because of the accuracy with which the curtainis stretched to the desired size,

7 Claims. (01. 81-3) Such a curtain stretcher is inexpensive and is curtain is secured to the pins of the stretcher frame without the hands or fingers of the operator coming into contact with the pin points, and much more rapidly than where the curtain is individually engaged with the pins.

The curtain stretcher roller device embodying the invention is in the form of a spool which is rotatably supported by a. handle so that the spool may be rolled along the curtain stretcher frame. The spool includes a number ofpusher 3 members which operate to force the curtain over 2 I the pins as the spool is moved along the frame. By the use of the curtain stretcher roller, the

curtain is attached to the pins of each frame member by merely moving the roller over the edge of the curtain and along the frame with the-pusher members of the spool in alignment with the pins. The curtain is automatically forced over the pins by the pusher members as the spool rolls along the frame. The roller provides rapid and convenient attachment of the curtain to the curtain stretcher, and one in which there is no necessity for contact of the operator's fingers with the pins.

In addition to the feature of utilizing pusher members to effect engagement of the curtain with the pins of the curtain stretcher, the invention provides means whereby the roller device is guided along each frame member in proper alignment with the pins. The guide feature increases the rapidity and convenience of the attachment of the curtain to the stretcher frame because it insures automatic alignment of the pusher members with the pins.

In view of the foregoing, it is an object of the invention to provide means whereby a curtain may be rapidly and conveniently attached to a curtain stretcher without contact of the operamembers for attaching curtains to a curtain stretcher which includes means for guiding the roller along the curtain stretcher frame so that the pusher members are in correct alignment with the pins of the curtain stretcher frame.

In the drawing, in which like reference characters refer to like parts:

Fig. 1 is a view of one corner of a curtain stretcher frame showing the manner of use of the curtain Stretcher roller embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional view of the spool portion of the curtain stretcher roller;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on lines 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is an elevational view of the spool of a modified form of the invention; and

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary view taken on lines 55 of Fig. 4.

As illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, the curtain stretcher roller I comprises a spool II rotatably supported by a handle I2, the spool including pusher members I3 suitably secured to the spool. The curtain stretcher roller I0 is adapted to be used with a curtain stretcher of the type generally indicated at I6 which includes curtain stretcher side frame IT. The curtain stretcher frame I6 is of rectangular form as provided by a plurality of stretcher frame members IT and I8 which engage each other at corners 20 in such a manner that the dimensions of the fram I! may be varied as desired, within wide limits. spaced points along each of the stretcher frame. members It are secure pins I9 which generally comprise a pointed end to facilitate attachment.

of the curtain and a shank of suitable length to adequately support the curtain 2 I attached thereto. Preferably, the pins I9 are secured to the stretcher member-s along; a portion of decreased thickness extending the length of such members. A cross. section of side frame members I8 is illustrated inFigs. 2 and 5, and shows the main body portioniifa and pin ledge 86-. The pins I9 are suffici'ently close together so that the curtain 2i is not subject to undesirable tension at any single point.

In the preferred form of the invention as shown in Fig. 2,.spool II includes pin channel 22 formed around the circumference or periphery of the spool- Preferably, the pin channel 22 is at one end. of. the, spool and is of sufiicient width and depth to receive pins I9. Across the pin channel 22, are secured pusher members I3 adapted to forcethe curtain 2! over the. pins; I9. the pusher. members I3 extends into the body of the spool I I a sufficient distance to efiect a secure engagement, thereto. In this embodiment of, the invention, the pusher members I3. comprise. sec.- tions of; thin rod or wire-which are spaced along the pin channel. 22. a distance similar to that between pins Iil on the stretcher frame. The pusher members It. are of, sufficient. rigidity to force the fabric over pins I9, as well. as either to be deflected or toy cause the: pin tobe deflected, when the members. occasionally contact the pins.

astheroller: ismovedalong the frame. It is de-' sirable that the axially extending pusher portions 25 of the pusher members (that. is, the pusher members proper) be of. minimum thickness as to facilitate such deflection of either the pin. or pusher member. These pusher portions 25 are. spaced. radially from the spoolso the pins I9 can. enter therebetween without contacting the spool. Since the dimension of the pusher portions 25 of the-pusher. members iii are thin in. a direction circumferentially of the spoolin comparison. to:

the circumferential spacing of these members, said. members can be regarded asdefining spaces therebetwcenspaced circumferentially of, the spool and of greater extent circumferentially of the. spool-thanthe individual extent. of, suchmembers circumferentially of the spool.

The spool il is. rotatably supported by handle I2. which engages the spool at center opening 23.. The handle I2- comprises shank 2t) which is di.-- vided near the spool into fork 28. Spindle portions- 2iare provided at the ends, of the fork for engaging the spool within opening 23.. land gripv 218 may besecured to-shank 24 for convenient operation of the curtain stretcher roller.

A further feature ofthe invention is the pro.- vision of guide: means. on: the spool I whichv enables thepusher members I3 to be aligned with the pins I9 as the roller is moved: along. the.

Each of.

stretcher frame. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the guide means comprises guide channel 31 which is provided on spool I I as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. Guide channel 3|, adjacent to channel 22, is of a width greater than that of the main body portion 45 of frame member I8. The channels 22 and 3I are separated by wall 32 and the bottom of th channel 3| constitutes one peripheral section of the spool while the bottom of, channel 22 constitutesan adjacent peripheral section. The pusher members proper I3 register radially of the spool with said adjacent peripheral section.

In. the operation of the curtain stretcher roller,

the curtain is held by the operator with its edge or hem adjacent to pins I9. The roller I0 is then moved along the frame member I! with pusher members I3 in alignment with the pins. As the roller is. moved along the frame, the pusher members I3 pass between the pins and force the curtain over the pins, the shank of the pins entering and. withdrawing from the pin channel 22 as the device is moved; Upon contact of an edge with; a pin, thepin or the pusher member is de- .fiec.ted sov that the pin passes the edge 25 and enters the pin; channel.

In a modified form of the invention as shown in. Figs- 4. and. 5,. the curtain. stretcher roller It includes spool 36 of cylindrical shape and having center opening 3-! formed therein. To one end of; the-spool 36 is attached a rigid disc-like member or plate 38. of a diameter greater than that of the spool so as: to provide a circumferential endwall thereof, the plate: 38 being secured to the spool by suitable fastening means 39. Plate 38. includes blades (pusher elements or members) II which are bent from the plate so that they extend radially from the spool. Outer edges 42 (pusher portions), are provided b the blades ii, the edges- 42. extending in a, plane substantially parallel tothe axis of the spool. These edges or pusher portions 12 are spaced-both radially and axially from. the spool. As in the case of pusher members I3, it. is desirable that the edges 42 of the; blades be of. minimum thickness to facilitate passage. of the edges between the pins I9. Edges 42. of. the blades are similar to edges 25 of the pusher members. I3 in that they form the outer limit of. thespace in which the pins I9 enter as the-roller is moved along the frame.

In this modified form of the invention, the guide means is provided by the cylindrical surface: 43 of thespool; 33 adjacent to the plate 38. By holding the. plate inthe channel between the main bodyportion 45 and; the pin ledge 46, the surface 43- maintains the blades II in alignment withthe pins I9.-.

Having thus. described my invention, what I,

claim as new and wish tosecure-by United States Letters; Patent is:

1. A roller for use with a curtain stretcher having aframe with pins projecting therefrom at spaced points which, comprises. a, cylindrical spool having a channel around its periphery, a handle rotatablyengagin thespool at the center of at least one end thereof, and; a plurality of pusher members secured to the spool.- at spaced points and eachv having a. thin outside edge extending across the channel;v said: channel being of sufficient' depth and width toreceive the pins when the rolleris. movedalong the frame.

2. Aroller. for use with. a curtain stretcher havinga. frame; with pins projecting therefrom at spaced. pointswhich comprises a cylindrical spool having, a-pinichannel andan adjacentguide chan.

nel around its periphery, a handle rotatabl engaging the spool at the center of at least one end thereof, and a plurality of pusher members secured to the spool at spaced points and each having a thin outside edge extending across said pin channel, the guide channel being of greater width than that of the frame and the pin channel being of sufficient width and depth to receive the pins as the roller is moved along the frame.

3. A roller for use with a curtain stretcher having a frame with pins projecting therefrom at spaced points which comprises a cylindrical spool, a handle rotatably engaging the spool at the center of at least one end thereof, and a rigid disclike member of a diameter greater than that of the spool centered on one end of the spool, said member having a plurality of blades which extend radially from the spool and each of which provides a thin edge extending in a, plane substantially parallel to the axis of the spool.

4. For use with a curtain stretcher frame member of the type having a pin ledge carrying a row of pins spaced laterally from and extending lengthwise of a main body portion, a circumferentially flanged spool rotatably mounted on a handle, the flange having a width axially of the spool less than the distance between the main body portion of the frame member and the row of pins on the pin ledge, and a plurality of like spaced rigid pusher members projecting outwardly from the flange axially of the spool and spaced circumferentially thereof, said pusher members defining spaces therebetween, and the extent of said spaces circumferentially of the spool exceeding the extent of the pusher members circumferentially of the spool.

5. In a roller for use with a curtain stretcher having a frame with a row of pins projecting therefrom at spaced points, a cylindrical spool, a handle rotatably engaging the spool at the center of at least one end thereof, and a plurality of pusher members mounted on the spool in spaced relation circumferentially thereof, said pusher members having pusher portions projecting axially of the spool in spaced relation circumferentially thereof, and said pusher portions being also spaced from the spool and defining circumferentially spaced spaces therebetween for receiving the pins incident to rolling of the roller on the frame beside said row of pins.

6. In a roller for use with a curtain stretcher having a frame with a row of pins projecting therefrom at spaced points, a spool having a cylindrical periphery and a, circumferential end wall, a handle rotatably engaging the spool at the center of at least one end thereof, and a plurality of pusher members mounted on said end wall in circumferentially spaced relation with respect to the spool and projecting from such wall axially of the spool, and said members defining spaces therebetween spaced circumferentially of the spool and of greater individual extent circumferentially of the spool than the individual extent of such members circumferentially of the spool, to facilitate such spaces receiving the pins when the roller is rolled upon the frame along said row of pins.

7. A roller for use with a curtain stretcher having a frame with a row of pinsprojecting therefrom at points spaced along such row, a spool having a, cylindrical periphery, flange means extending circumferentially of the spool intermediate the length thereof for maintaining one circumferential section thereof in rolling relation upon said frame pursuant to the spool being rolled upon the frame in parallelism with said row of pins, an adjacent circumferential section of the spool being adapted to register with said row of pins during rolling of the one section along the frame, and curtain pusher elements mounted upon said spool at a position spaced radially from and in registration with said adjacent circumferential section, and said pusher elements being spaced apart to receive the pins therebetween incident to pressing the curtain onto the pins.

JAMES V. PIERCEY.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,007,067 Yarger July 2, 1935 2,369,452 Gamache Feb. 13, 1945