US2840159A - Drapery suspension device - Google Patents

Description

June 24, 1958 3, KING 2,840,159

DRAPERY SUSPENSION DEVICE Filed May 20, 1955 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 v INVENTOR flea/9m I64 BY di Mu;

ATTORNEYS June 24, 1958 B. KING DRAPERY SUSPENSION DEVICE 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 20, 1955 I6 INVENTOR BY MM, @uoww 1 W ATTORNEYS June 24, 1958 B. KING DRAPERY SUSPENSION DEVICE 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed May 20, 1955 INV ENT OR ATTORNEYS w R R 9% M L '1 WM M w. NM l mm w \J km W 1 m fiw United States Patent 2,840,159 DRAPERY SUSPENSION DEVICE-1 Baldwin King, Albany, Ga.

Application May 20, 1955, Serial No. 509,199 8 Claims. Cl. 160-348 This invention relates to traverse equipment comprising a traverse rod and means movable thereon sup portingly attached to the upper portion of curtains or draperies, and cord means attached to certain of said movable means, the construction and coacting arrangement of the rod and movable means being such, that when slight force is applied to said cord, the curtain or draperies are smoothly and silently moved in opening and closing directions, as desired.

Traverse rods and equipment as now constituted present a variety of problems, by reason of the rods being clesigned to carry a number of curtain supporting carriers or slides, including a pair of master carriers adapted to move along the rod in meeting and separating directions with respect to each other, and being controlled by a draw cord being attached to each master slide, for moving said carriers in opposite directions: Such cord being mounted in the rod and extending beyond; the end of the rod frequently gets hung with some of the carriers and/ or slides, and locks the curtains from movement in either direction; therefore, an important object of this invention is the provision of .a rod construction including means for mounting the cord rearwardly of the rod, .thereby eliminating its contact with the carriers and' eflecting, in such regard, the unhampered, operation of the curtains in opening and closing direction.

Another important object of this invention is the provision of a hollow traverse curtain rodhaving a bottom slot extending throughout its length, a carrier track on the inner surface of the bottom wall adjacent to one side, and an ofiset carrier track on the under side of the top wall adjacent to the opposite side, the respective .carriers having means extendingthroug'h said slot and engageable with said curtain, their construction and engageable contact arrangement with said track being such as to main tain the carriers in perpendicular non-interfering positions as well as the curtains, at all times during their travel in curtain opening and closing directions. 1 On account of the construction and coacting arrangement of thev rods and carriers now being manufactured, the curtains come into frictional contact with the rod, and frequently one ior the other of, the overlapped cur.- ta'ins-is dragged or caused to move in the wrong direction by movement of the other, andby reason of the construction and'mounting of the carriers they are caused to as sume positions out of the perpendicular and to become locked with each other,-so that the-curtains cannotbe moved in either direction: Therefore, one of the principal objects ofthis invention is, the provision of a traverse rod construction, and coacting carrier construction including anti-friction wheels arranged not only to smoothly support but to bracingly cause the carriers to remain and travel. at all times, irrespective of varying weight conditions, in perpendicular positions and similarly supporting the curtains out of frictional engagement with the rod. Y e

A further important object of this invention is the pro- ,oyision of a curtain;carrierv member, of this, character 2,840,159 Patented June 24, 1958 having an outwardly and downwardly extending portion provided with a pair of vertically spacedxopenings adapted to receive a curtain attaching pin in a manner to support the curtain engaging portion of the pin perpendicularly spaced from the rod, and which in turn also holds the heading of the curtain straight up, thereby preventing the heading breaking over the .top. 1 3 F A further object of this invention is the provision. of

a center rod supporting adjustable bracket, including rod engaging jaws substantially conforming to the shape of the rod and not only designed to support the rod and to.

, prevent its tendency to twist under heavy curtain weight the several figures of which:

conditions, but also to serve as a splicer for the meeting ends of rod sections.

.A still further object of this invention is the provision of a traverse curtain rod and pulley supporting an adjustable bracket assembly for detachably holding, each end of the rod against turning or twisting and including means for mounting the draw cord pulleys rearwardly of;

.the end of the rod.

With these and other objects in view, which will become apparent as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the construction, combination and arragement of parts, hereinafter more fully described and claimed, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which like characters of reference indicate like parts throughout Fig.- 1 is a top plan view of the assembled curtainrod structure. a i

Fig. 2 is an enlarged cross-section taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1. 3

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary elevation of a master carrier or. slide and a partial vertical section of the curtain rod.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the two sections of the master carrier.

Fig. 5 is a side elevation of the pulleys with the cord in sections.

Fig. 6 is an end view of pulley assembly showing parts in section.

Fig. 7 is a partial perspective view of the end bracket structure. 9

Fig. 8 is a front elevation of an intermediate carrier.

Fig. 9 is a side elevation of an intermediate carrier and a fragmentary vertical section of the top portion of the drapery in vertical position as supported by the carrier.

Fig. 10 is a top plan view of'the center rodsupporting bracket. a

Fig. 11 is a side elevation of Fig. 10. v v

In the illustrated embodiment characterizing this invention there isshown in Fig. 1, which is, a traverserod structure comprising a curtain or drapery tubular rod 1 rectangular in cross section having a narrow bottom wall 2 which, midway of its width, is cut, or divided longitudinally of its length and with the cut edges 3 bent upwardly, thereby forming a slot 4, a front track 5 and rear track 6 on opposite sides of said slob-which slot extends throughout the, length of the tubular rodl, as and fora purpose A stub section 13 substantially C-shapecl in crosssection 4 directly more fully appearing. V t

A .drawcord pulley mounting and rod supportingad justable bracket assembly B (Figs. 5, 6, and 7), is adapted to engagingly support each end of the traverse rod jA,

each of said bracket assemblies comprising a cup t em 7 is spotwelded or otherwise secured. to the extension. 12,, and is adapted for telescopieengagement with a similarly shaped intermediate section 14 adapted for engagement wr'flrthe mocorfanchor sectioniliof the "bracketassembly' B; The section, 13: informed one.- or'more' apertures, scfionilidt longitudinali sl'utz 1'7 and an. opening: 18... and: sectionrl-fi with a sir'rn'lar; slot: 19," all adapted. to res wi'va'a bolt or bolts (not. shown)? tcrlock. the: int'erfitting: parts in adjusted position. in: accordance: with. the desired length of said rodi'supponting bracketsi R: The anchon'section 15.1is1 formed; with an. integral T-shaped plate 20 having a. pair of; openings 21 and an integrak rightranglelplate section '22ihavingr three or more: openings 23 toreceivevscrews. or other suitable; means. for rigidly mounting the bracket on awall, or side. oruface of a win oc'dioor frame; and; accordance; with the; particular requirements, the intermediate section. 14 may be dis with and the. section directly and adjustably secured. toimcmber 15. i i A puil'ey' andidraw cord structure C. is mounted; in. the housing 8 of-each bracketi'assembly' B, and: comprises a ofpulle'ys-M rotatably mounted on a shaft pin 25. formed with a screw head 26 at one end. and, in the pres. ant-instance, threadedat the. other end (not shown). Said pin 25in adapted to extend through the wall". It and to thnead'edly engage in a threaded opening (not shown) inthe': opposite wall 10. Mounted on the: shaft: pin 25 intermediate. the pulleys.,24' and between the pulleys and the walls "andZ 11 are thewashersor' spacers 27 to permit free rotation of the pulleys by a draw cordi28 adapted to travel over the pulleys when operated by a person desiring t o move-the curtains or curtain in opening and. closing=direction as hereinafter more fully explained.

A leaf spring 29 (Fig. 6) is mounted in theihousing 8; and isattached to the undersurface of the top: wall; 10

by a rivet pin 30, said spring 29 being curved downwardly-into contact-'withthe surface of the draw. cord portions in both pulleys, and then slightly-upward. at its free to: permit freedom of movement of the cord. in both directions, and at the same time to act as a brake. to sufliciently rest'rain the'cord as to prevent loose: stretches becoming tangled. Member 13 is formed atiits' upper ancil'ower edges withcurved portions: 31.

Where the traverse rod A is more than approximately five fee't in length a center support bracket structure D is This bracket not" only supports the weight. of the rod and' that of the curtain or draperies carried therehgfibu't also is designed'tobrace the rod. 1 and. pre vent its tendency totwist under load stresses. This bracket structure D comprises a flat or telescopic. section 33 formed with a longitudinal slot-34 and an opening34', and beginning substantially midway of" its length it is formed with a narrow flat portion 35 b'ent upwardly into a loop portion. 36 and then extending perpendicularly below the portion 33 forming a vertical flat portion 3.7 adapted to seat against a wall w-indow frame or the like,

screw pin 51 extending, through slot 40 for securing the member 50 in adjusted position when the members 46 and 50 have been placed in gripping position about the rod 1. The bracket portion 33, spaced from the end of and in alignment with slot 34, is provided with a threaded opening for engaging the end of the screw pin 52 extending through slot 40 and the opening in member 33 as at 52 (Fig. 10) for further ri'gidl'y interlocking in adjusted position members. 33; and? 39..

The apron-like gripping jaw members 46 and 50 conform to the configuration of the rod 1 (Figs. 1, 2, ,10 and ll) when in. gripping; engagementtwith said rod, and

5 when the member. 37 isrigidly attached to a wall or the like, will more efiecti'vely', in addition to supporting the rod, maintain said rod against any tendency to twist under the stresses of load conditions. Also, by reason of the construction of the jaw elements 46 and 50, this center rod supporting structure; D, where. two or more lengths of rods are. required. serves as. a splicer for supporting;

and. housing the:.mccting ends of: the rods, without any modification whatsoever.

- Inconnectiorrwiththe rod andcarricr structures lt'Wi'll. be apparent that the: particular rod. structure as shown in crossssectiorr in Fig; 2* is designed to. properly house. and to enact with the particular rod engaging carrier members shown in Figs. 2, 3, 4, 8 and 9 to effect the desired: operating results.

In: the present instance, the area. or opening: to be cur tained requires two curtains or draperies, as. the case may: be, their meeting: edges being: adapted to overlap midway of the; area..

Withrespect to the curtain carriers, there is employed a pair.of..carrierstructures 53 and. 54 usually termed master carriers. Master. carrier 53. is. termed a left hand carrier and. is. attached to the. meeting edge of. the left, hand. curtain adjacent to its upper end, and similarly: the; master right hand carrier structure- 54 is attached to the meeting edge; of the. right handv curtain. The. master carrier structure 53,.is1irr the form of a bar 55 integrallyconnectedwith acontrol draw cord attachingcarrier member-56 intermediate. its length, and. at one. end with. a

, substantially sirnilar 'carriermember57, the bar. 55 ex-- and formed with screw receiving openings similar to openings 23 in member 22 of bracket member 15 for attaching the bracket to a wall or the like.

A complemental section 38 comprising a portion 39 adjustably engages in member 33 and is formed with a longitudinal slot 40 and a threaded opening (not seen) registering with slot 34, the complemental section 38 being adjustably secured to telescopic section or member 33 by a screw bolt41 engaging in said opening. Portion 39 of complemental section 38 is formed with angle edges 42 defining a widened portion 43 hour downwardly as at 44 and inwardly as at 45forming a gripping portion 46. There is provided a complemental' member 47 adapted to underlie member 43 and is bent at 48 and at its free end is bent i'nwardly as at 49 towards end 45 forming a complementalgripping portion 50 similar to 46. Member 4 7is pr'ovided with a threaded opening (not shown) registering with slot 40 in portion 39, extending into porlion- 43gand adapted to receive the threaded end of a tending beyond carrier 56 and at. its free end- 58 it is formed with: laterally curved portions 59 provided: with vertically aligned openings 60' adapted to receive the portion 61' of a curtain attaching pin 62 to. maintain the curtain engaging stem portion 61" and the curtain inperpendicular position as shown in Fig. 9.

'The right hand master carrier 54 is similar to the master carrier 53 andis also formedwith an end carrier member 5'2: anda draw cord attaching carrier member 56,

except the portion projecting beyond carrier member 56,

islonger than: the like portion ofi 53, and comprises an outwardly directed angle portion 63 and a short inwardly bent portion 64 terminating in a free end 6'5f0rmed with laterally curved portions 59 having vertically aligned openings 60'- simil'arto: those of the free end 58- of carrier 53. The end 65 is adapted to be attached to themeeting edge ofithe right hand curtain, and in closed positionto overlap said' left hand master carrier 53' (Fig; 1'), as will be wellunderstood.

Since the rod engaging and cord attached carrier members 56 of the master carriers. 53"and 54 are identical,

' only the carrier member 56 of master carrier 54, as

shown in Figs; 2 and 3, will bedescribed indetail.

The carrier members-56 of themaster'carriers 54 and 55; in' the present i'nst'ance,;a.re constructed from a- Hat strip 66 of'metal, but maybe of plastic, such strip 66 being-moulded or bent upon itself, as at 66-, into overlying spaced relation to'form atitsupper end a widened and thi'ckenedhead portion 67 (Figs. '3 and 4) through which extends and is suitably secured the lower shaft member 68 (Fig. 2) on the free end of which is rotatably mounted the relatively large anti friction wheel 69 adapted to travelinthe forward track 5 ofrod It A pair of spaced smaller shafts or rods 70 are similarly mounted insaid head adjacent to its upper end and project from the opposite side of the hed, and on the free ends of which are rotatably mounted the small anti-friction wheels or rollers 71 adapted to project slightly 'abovethe head 67 adjacent to the opposite edges thereof for engagement with the flat upper track 72 of the top wall 73 which interconnects the vertical side walls 74 of the rod 1.

- It will be noted that the traverse rod 1 is not only rectangular in cross section, adapted to present a strong structure capable of supporting heavy curtains and draperies, but it is additionally designed to house and .to provide spaced tracks at its lower end, the forward track 5 adapted to-support the large carrier wheel69 of the carrier 56 of the master carrier 54, and to provide at its upper end the flat under surface upper track 72 for the spaced small, wheels 71, which latter provide a track engaging area of a length substantially equal to the width of the carrier head 67 (Fig. 3). The flatstrip 66 extends downwardly from the head .67 through the slot 4' (Fig. 2), and forwardly and' downwardly and, in the present instance, merges with the bar 55 as at 75 in advance of the forward wall 74 of rod 1, and thence upwardly forming a cord attaching section 77, extending to and in spaced relation with the rear side wall of the rod. A U-shaped member 78 is formed by pressing out from section 77, spacedfrom its upper end, portions which form the oppositely extending ears or prongs '79 and an intermediate prong 80 to secure the cord 28 to the carrier member 56 of the master carrier 54 (Figs. 2 and 3).

The cord 28 is similarly secured to they similar cord attaching'member 78 mounted on the-upstanding cord attaching section 77 .of the carrier 56 of the master carrier 53. Also it will be, understood that the respective end carriers 57 of the master carriers 53 and 54 are identical with the carrier members 56, except that they do not have the extending cord attaching members 79 and 80.

The small wheels 71 of the carrier head 67 engageable with the upper track 72 (Figs. 2 and 3) present with the supporting wheel 69 a three point track engageable contact, the curtain weight or load supporting wheel 69 with the track 5 and the upper offset wheels 71 engageable in opposite and carrier bracing direction with the upper track 72, thereby under all operating and varying curtain weight conditions, the carrier head and curtain attaching forward portion as at 75 are at all times in perpendicular or vertical position, and, therefore, when the/pins 62 are operatively attached to the curtains 81 by their insertion in the openings 60 of therespective sets of openings in the carrier- members 56 and 57 of the master carriers 53 and 54 and of the respective intermediate carriers 82, as shown in Fig.9, all of said carrier members, by reason of the construction of the rod 1 and the construction and arrangement of the carrier heads 67 and their depending forward members as at 75, the curtains 81 and the upstanding top portions 83 thereof will be maintained in perpendicular position without frictional contact with the rod 1, and without interference of any kind during the curtain opening and closing operations.

In regard to the operation of a pair of curtains in opening and closing direction it will be noted that each bracket assembly B carries a pulley structure C positioned directly behind the end of the traverse rod 1 and which pulleys carry the cord 28. The purpose of the pulleys is to carry the cord 'at the rear of each end of the rod. This cord should pass over one of these pulleys, go to the other end of the rod and pass over another pulley on that end of the rod, and return to the first pulley and pass over the other pulley making the two ends of the continuous cord at one end of the rod. One part of this cord is fastened to member 78 on the left hand master carrier, and the other part is similarly fastened .to the right hand master carrier, causing one carrier, when the cord is pulled, to travel to one end of the rod and the other carrier to travel to the opposite end of the rod in curtain opening direction,- and oppositely in curtainclosing direction, when the; cord is pulled in the opposite direction, as will be well understood.

surface, a plurality of traverse curtain carriers adapted-to travel on said track surfaces, the construction and arrangement of said carriers and tracks being such that.

said carriers, irrespective of the size and weight of the curtains, will be supported in upright position, said car: riers adapted to maintain the curtains out of frictional engagement with the rod during the opening and closing operations, and an adjustable bracket rod end supporting assembly, each carrying a set of pulleys positioned to the rear of the end of the rod to support the drawcord, and a center rod supporting bracket structure, said bracket 'addi; tionally serving as a spliccr means for housingly supporting the meeting end of rod sections.

Although in practice I have found that the form of my:

invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings. and referred to in the above description as the preferred embodiment, is the most efiicient and practical, yet realizing that conditions concurrent with the adoption of my invention will necessarily vary, I desire to emphasize that various minor changes in details of construction, proportion and arrangement of parts may be resorted to within the scope of the appended claims without departing from or sacrificing any of the principles of this invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I desire protected by Letters Patent is as set forth in the followin claims:

i 1. Traverse equipment for curtainsand draperies, comprising, in combination, a traverse rod, means within the rod defining a pair of vertically off-set tracks, one-of which is a bottom track, the other 'of which isanupper track, a pair of curtain-supporting carrier meansmounted in the traverse rod havingva large roller engaging the bottom track and a pair of longitudinally .disposed small rollers engaging the upper track, the rollerscoacting with the respective tracks for providing continuously a three-' point mounting for maintaining the carrier. means continuously vertical independently of amount of load thereon for. rolling thereon the carrier means beingmovable along the tracks in opposite directions and supportingly attached to-upper portions of curtains or draperies, draw. cord means attached to each curtain-supporting carrier means for rollably moving each of carrier means in ope posite directions along the traverse rod, andmeans for mounting the cord rearwardly of the said rod for eliminating contact between the cord and carrier means for. eifecting unhampered operation of the carrier means and curtains in opening and closing directions.

2. Traverse equipment for curtains and draperies, cont-v prising, in combination, a traverse rod, means in the, rod defining a pair of parallel vertically spaced and vertically off-set tracks, one of which is a bottom track, the other of which is a top track, a plurality of curtain-supporting carriers slidably mounted in the traverse rod each carrier having on one side a large roller engaging the bottom track, and a pair of small rollers on an opposite side engaging the top track, the said rollers providing continuously a three-point mounting for each carrier for maintaining each carrier continuously vertical independently of amount of load thereon, for rolling movement thereon in opposite directions, the said carriers including a pair of master carriers supportingly attached to upper portions of curtains or draperies and adapted to move along the traverse rod in meeting and separating directions with respect to each other, a draw cord attached to each master carrier for moving the carrier in opposite directions, and means for mounting the draw cord rearwardly of the rod and away from contact with the carriers for effecting unthe'curtain in opening and closing V of theib'ottom, portions, a curtain carrier track on the inner surface of' the bottom portion adjacent to the outer one ofthe sidewalls, an oif set carrier track on the inner side ofthe top portion" adjacent to the side wall opposite to 'tlre'first-mentionedi side wall, a pair of master curtain carriers mounted on" thetracks, each of the carriers'havi118". a large roller engaging the first mentioned track, and longitudinally aligned small rollers engaging the off-set carrier track and cooperatingwith the large roller for continuously providing a vertical three-point support for the carrier, means on the carriers engageable with upper portions of'a curtain for" attaching the curtain tothe car-' riers, the saidcarriersbeing movable along the tracks in rneetingand separating; directions with respect to each other, the curtain-attaching means for the carriers extending through the slot, a draw cord attached to each carrier for moving the carriers in opposite directions along the tracks, and means for mounting the draw'cord rearwardly of the rod.

4. Traverse equipment for curtains and draperies comprising a hollow, elongated traverse rod having a top defining an outer surface and an inner surface, a pair of complemental bottom portions defining outer sur faces and inner surfaces, upper track means on the inner surface of the top portion, lower track means on the in-- net surface of-the bottom portions, and opposite side wall membersinterconnectingthe said top and bottom portions ofthe rod; the bottom portions of" the rod being separated by a longitudinally extending slot, a plurality of curtain carrier means having head portions mounted within the rod and curtain hanger portions depending from the head portions and'extending through the slot between the bottom portions of the rod, traveling instrumentalities mounted on the head portions of the curtain-carrier means, the instrumentalities including a' pair of longitudinally aligned small rollers and a large roller on opposite sides of: the head portionsof the said curtain carrier means and positioned with the small rollers in engagement with the upper and with the large roller in engagement with the lower track means in the rod for continuously providing a three-point support for the curtain carrier means for maintaining and bracing the curtain-carrier means con 1: in combination, ahollow, elongated traverse rod traverse tinuou sly in perpendicular relation with respect to the ma; andkmeane operatively connected to certain as the curtaincarri'er means for moving the latter in oppositedireetions. U V

- S; Traverse equipment for-curtains and draperies as claimed in claim 4, wherein there are. provided apair of curtain-carrier means depending from'the traverse rod longitudinallyofi set with respect to each other for pre ventingcontact between meeting edge portions of curtains suspendedfronithe curtain carrier means.

6. Traverse equipment for curtains and draperies as claimed inclaim 4, wherein the traveling instrumentalities on the head portions of thecurtain carrier means are antifriction roller-s extending oppositely from the said headporti'ons and operating' on the upper and lower track means in the traverse adjacent to the inner surface of the side walls of the said rod for continuously maintaining the curtain carrier means perpendicular to the rod andirr relative non-interfering positions at all time during their travel in curtain opening and closing directions.

7'. Traverse equipment for curtains and draperies as defined inclainr 4, wherein the traverse rod comprises anadjustable'rod-supporting bracket disposed approximately centrally with respect to the traverse rod, the said bracket including opposite rod-engaging jaws substantially conforming to the shape of the rod, for supporting the rod and preventing tendencies of the rod to twist under heavy curtain loads, the said jaws also being splicing means for meeting ends of contiguous rod sections.

8. Traverse equipment 'for curtains and draperies as claimed in claim 4, wherein the means operatively connected to the curtain-carrier means for moving the latter in opposite directions include adjustable bracket assembliss detachablyholding opposite end of the traverse rod against tendencies to turn or to twist under heavy curtain loads on the curtain-carrier means, each bracket assembly including a housing, pulleys in the housing, and a drawcord connected to the curtain carrier means and passing around the pulleys for simultaneously actuating the curtain carrying, means in opposite directions for opening and closing the curtains.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS

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