US3155149A

US3155149A - Structural device

Info

Publication number: US3155149A
Application number: US169891A
Authority: US
Inventors: James A Ford
Original assignee: Kirsch Co
Current assignee: Cooper Industries LLC; Graham Packaging Plastic Products Inc
Priority date: 1962-01-30
Filing date: 1962-01-30
Publication date: 1964-11-03
Anticipated expiration: 1981-11-03

Description

Nov. 3, 1964 J. A. FORD 3,155,149

' v STRUCTURAL DEVICE Filed Jan. 30, 1962 2 sheets-sheet l INVEN TOR. JAMES A. FORD i awwgm/gyw Nov. 3, 1964 J. A. FORD 3,155,149

STRUCTURAL DEVICE Filed Jan. 30, 1962 2 SheetS -Sheet 2 INVENTOR. 1/1/1459 4. i090 awzmwyk United States Patent 3,155,149 STRUUEURAL DEVICE James A. Ford, Lafayette, Galifi, assignor to Kirsch 60mpany, Sturgis, Mich a corporation of Michigan Filed Jan. 39, 1962, Ser. No. 169,891 8 Claims. (Cl. 160346) This invention relates to transverse rods and particularly to pulley structure to be used at the end of a ceilingtype, double-channel, traverse rod particularly of the type illustrated and described in my previously filed application Serial No. 159,851, filed December 18, 1961, and assigned to the same assignee as the present application.

While the pulley structure as shown in the previous application is entirely satisfactory, continuing work with this type of traverse rod has revealed certain features of the previous structure which are not wholly satisfactory and which it is the purpose of the present invention to i. prove. To this end, it is desirable to provide a pulley structure which is more convenient to install than was the pulley structure of the previous design and, particularly, one which can be installed adjacent the end of a traverse rod which has already been fastened permanently into the ceiling of a room.

Accordingly, the objects of the invention include:

(1) To provide a pulley structure capable of being used with a ceiling-type, double-channel, traverse rod of the type shown in my patent application Serial No. 159,851.

(2) To provide a pulley structure, as aforesaid, which is of extreme structural simplicity but which is nevertheless strong and sturdy and capable of easy and rapid installation into operating position.

(3) To provide structure, as aforesaid, wherein said pulley can be installed into operating position after the remainder of the transverse rod has been mounted permanently in its operating position.

(4) To provide a pulley unit which can be readily installed as desired after the main traverse rod member has been mounted in position and, further, which may later be removed and installed as desired, all with assurance that when said pulley unit is installed it will be firmly and accurately aligned with the main traverse rod.

Other objects and purposes of the invention will be apparent to persons acquainted with devices of this general type upon reading the following disclosure and inspection of the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is an oblique view of a traverse rod with the pulley structure of the invention installed in its operating position.

FIGURE 2 is an oblique exploded view of the several components of the pulley structure together with a portion of the traverse rod with which said components operate.

FIGURE 3 is a section taken on the line IIIIII of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 4 is an end view of the traverse rod with the pulley structure installed in position, the same being from the leftward end as appearing in FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 5 is a sectional view taken on the line VV of FIGURE 4.

Turning now to the drawings, there is shown at 1 a ceiling-type, double-channel traverse rod of the type shown in my application Serial No. 159,851 to which reference is directed for a complete illustration and description of this type 'of traverse rod. Briefly, however, said traverse rod consists of a pair of

channels

2 and 3 formed preferably from extruded material and having in this embodiment a pair of downwardly opening slots 4 and 6. Flanges 7 and 8, used where acoustical tile or other prefabricated material is installed on the ceiling in .l,l5 5,l45 Patented Nov. 3, 1964 place of plaster, bear against the lower surface of the ceiling, indicated by the broken line C in FIGURE 2, against and into which said traverse rod is mounted. Said traverse rod is mounted by any convenient means, such as screws of which three are indicated at 9, 9a and 912 (FIG- URE 1).

A plurality of drapery-supporting hangers 11 are arranged in the channel 3 with the lower part of the hanger depending through the slot 6. In this embodiment said hangers each includes a roller appearing at 12 (FIGURE 4) but the use of rollers is optional. Openings 13 in said hangers are provided for receiving suitable draperysupporting means, such as hooks.

The channel 2 is provided for the carrying of appropriate master slides (not shown) and the traverse cords by which the desired traverse motion is applied to the drapery. It is the mounting of pulleys at the end of the traverse rod, which pulleys in turn guide and support said traverse cord, of which a portion appears at 15 toward which the present invention is directed.

Turning now particularly to such pulleys, there is first provide an end channel unit 21 which is identical in cross section with the traverse rod 11 and preferably made from a cut-cit portion of the same material. Said end unit 21, however, has a segment of its middle flange 22 cut out to form the notch 23. It also has portions of the material on each side of the slot 5 cut away to provide

recesses

24 and 26 and the

flanges

5 and 5a of channel 2 are removed.

The pulley unit itself comprises a body member 27 of inverted U-shape having a pair of

suitable pulleys

28 and 29 rotatably mounted within same and between the parallel sides 36 and 37 thereof. Such mounting may be carried out in any convenient and conventional manner, such as by suitably shouldered rivets 31 and 32.

A pair of forwardly extending supports 33 (FIGURE 2) and 34 (FIGURE 5) extend forwardly from each side 36 and 37, respectively. Said sides 36 and 37 and said

lugs

33 and 34 are spaced apart a distance such that their outside dimension, the dimension being that at d in FIGURE 4, is only clearance distance less than the spacing of the flanges defining the channel 2, namely, the spacing of the dimension 2 of FIGURE 3.

An end anchor is provided as convenient for the fixed end of the drapery. In this embodiment, such end anchor comprises an angle member 35 which is aflixed in any convenient manner, such as by welding, to the upper side of web 38 of the body member 27 leaving a hole 40 through said web 38 and member 35 for reception of the screw 57 hereinafter described. Its horizontal arm 39 extends laterally a suflicient distance that its vertical arm 41 is in alignment with the hangers 11. The lower end of said vertical arm 41 is provided with an opening 42 which is in substantial horizontal alignment with the several openings 13 of the hangers 11 and acts to provide the desired means to anchor the end of the drapery which said traverse rod is intended to support.

A covering channel 43 having

side flanges

44 and 46 is provided to insure alignment of the end segment 21 with the traverse rod 1 which in turn assures alignment of the pulley frame 2'7 with the remainder of the device.

The traverse track 1, with the guide in position embracing its end (the leftward end as appearing in FIG- URE 1), is mounted into desired position and is afiixed in any convenient manner to the ceiling, such as by screws of which three are indicated at 9, 9a and 9b. The

screws

9a and 9b extend both through the leftward end of the traverse rod 1 and the rightward end of the covering channel 43 to affix said traverse track and said covering channel firmly in position with respect to each other and with respect to the structure upon which said traverse structure is to be mounted.

The end unit 21 is now fitted into the channel 43 which insures alignment of its several parts with the corresponding parts of the traverse rod. it is fastened in place by the screw 52 extending through said end unit 21 and the channel 43 into the ceiling structure upon which the device is mounted. Alternatively, if desired, to reduce installation labor, the end unit 21 and the channel 43 may be riveted together at the factory and shipped pre-assembled for mounting in place with a traverse track 1.

The master slides are provided with suitable pull cords and are introduced into the channel 4- through the space provided for the pulley unit. The hangers 11 may be introduced into channel 3 at this time or later if desired as hereinafter pointed out. The cords may then if desired be led through the pulley unit but this can be left until later if preferred.

To install said pulley mechanism, the pulley structure 27 is fitted into the slot 2 side of the end channel unit 21, removal of the flanges and 5a therefrom permitting the pulley structure to slide thereinto. The removal of material from the center flange 22 to provide the notch 23 permits the reception of the angle support 35 (where used) with the parts so interfitted, and preferably with the leftward (as appearing in the drawings) end of the pulley structure 27 flush with the leftward end of the end unit 21 as shown in FIGURE 5. Next, the

supports

33 and 34 are introduced into the channel 2 of the traverse track 1 with said supports being positioned on top of the

flanges

5 and 5a. With the rightward end of the Pulley unit 27 so supported, the leftward end thereof is moved upwardly into position in the end unit 21. The screw 57 is then passed through the appropriate openings in the web 38 of the pulley unit 27, the adjacent portion of the end unit 21 and through the adjacent portion of the guide unit 43 into lath or other material comprising the structural portion of the ceiling.

The foregoing description has assumed that the installation of the traverse rod and the pulley unit associated therewith has taken place prior to finishing of the ceiling inasmuch as this is the normal way in which this unit will be installed. In such case, after installation as above described the ceiling will be finished as desired. If finished with acoustical tile or similar material, same will be installed above the fins 7 and 8 and the corresponding fins of the end unit 21. if the ceiling is to be plastered, and the fins 7 and 8 accordingly have been omitted, the plaster may now be applied as desired. Subsequent removal or reinstallation of the pulley unit 27 is then possible merely by the removal of the single screw 57 and without disturbing any of the ceiling material. However, it should be noted that it is possible, but normally less convenient, to apply the ceiling material ahead of the installation of either or both of the traverse rod and the end unit 21 by leaving an appropriate opening for these parts with these parts being installed later if desired.

Regardless of whether the ceiling material is applied before or after installation of the traverse rod, the end unit 21 and other parts associated therewith including the cut-outs 24 and 226 permit introduction and removal of the hangers 11 after said end unit is in position which facilitates introduction of said hangers into said traverse rod, if desired, after the pulley structure is mounted. Further, such cut-outs facilitate replacement of a defective hanger or change of the number of such hangers as desired after the device has been installed and in some cases, in use for a period of time, all without the necessity of removing the end pulley unit.

If the cords have not previously been introduced into the pulley unit, they may be now threaded through the appropriate pulleys and the apparatus is ready to function.

If desired, the pulley unit can be easily removed merely by the removal of the screw 57 holding it in position. Such easy removal facilitates either repair or replacement of the pulley unit if and as needed.

While a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention has been disclosed herein, the invention contemplates such modifications or changes therein as lie within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a dual-channel, ceiling-supportable track for a traverse rod structure, said track having lateral flanges extending toward each other and defining the edges of a slot communicating with one of said channels, a pulley unit for mounting at the end thereof comprising in combination:

an end unit separate from said track and having a crosssectional configuration substantially identical with the cross-sectional configuration of the traverse track with said flanges of said end unit being cut away;

a covering member aligning said end unit with a traverse track and with the channels of each thereof in alignment with each other;

a pulley frame including a pair of parallel side members spaced apart a distance such that they can snugly engage the legs of said one channel, means supporting said side members rigidly with respect to each other and at least one pulley rotatably supported between said side members, said pulley frame being received into said channel of said end unit corresponding to said one channel of said track where said flanges are cut away;

means fixing said pulley frame rigidly with respect to both said end unit and said track.

2. The device defined in claim 1 wherein said channels in said track are separated by central Web means and said end unit also has central web means aligned therewith, the longitudinally outer end portion of the central web means of said end unit being cut away to provide a passage between the channels of said end unit, and including also a sidewardly extending bracket mounted on said pulley frame, extending through said passage into alignment with the other of said channels and then extending downwardly to a point below same, whereby a rigid end support for a drapery material is provided.

3. In a traverse rod structure including a dual-channel, ceiling-supportable traverse track, one channel arranged for receiving drapery-supporting means and the other channel arranged to receive traversing cords, said other channel having lateral flanges extending toward each other and defining a slot, pulley structure for said cords supportable at the end of said track comprising in combination:

an end unit having a cross-sectional configuration substantially identical with that of the traverse track with said flanges thereof being cut away;

a downwardly opening channel member engaging both said traverse track and said end unit for aligning same exactly with respect to each other in order that the channels of said end unit will constitute substantial extensions of the channels of said track structure;

a pulley frame including a pair of parallel side members spaced apart a distance less than the spacing between the legs of said other channel and extending parallel therewith, said side members extending through the cut away portion into the channel of said end unit corresponding to said other channel of said track, and means holding said side members rigidly afiixed with respect to each other, a pair of pulleys rotatably supported between said side members, each of said side memebrs having a longitudinally extending lug at ends thereof extending into said other channel, said lugs having straight, longitudinally extending bottom edges resting on said lateral flanges, arcuate forward edges extending upwardly and away from said track from the inner ends of said bottom flanges and upper edges offset downwardly from the upper edges of said side members, said lugs being received into said other channel of said traverse rod track and the remainder of said pulley frame being received into the corresponding channel of said end unit;

and means holding said pulley frame, said end unit, said channel and said traverse track all rigidly with respect to each other.

4. A traverse rod structure, comprising:

an elongated traverse track having downwardly extending side walls defining two downwardly opening channels arranged in side-by-side relation and separated by central web means, the side walls of at least one of said channels having lateral flanges extending toward each other, said flanges being cut away in a zone which extends for a predetermined distance along the track near one end thereof;

a pulley frame including a pair of upright, parallel side members, said side members extending into said one channel through said zone and being disposed parallel with and closely adjacent to the side walls of the said one channel, at least one rotatable pulley mounted on said pulley frame and disposed between said side members;

means securing said pulley frame to said track;

said central web means being cut away along at least a portion of the zone to provide a passage between said channels and including a bracket mounted on said pulley frame and extending sidewardly therefrom through said passage into the other channel and then extending downwardly into a point below the other channel to provide a stationary support for a drapery.

5. A traverse rod structure, comprising:

an elongated traverse track having downwardly extent ing side walls defining two downwardly opening channels arranged in side-by-side relation and separated by central web means, the side walls of at least one of said channels having lateral flanges extending toward each other, said flanges being cut away in a zone which extends for a predetermined distance along the track from one end thereof, the side walls of the other of said channels having inwardly directed end portions extending toward each other to define a slot therebetween, said end portions being cut away in a region which extends for a predetermined distance along said track from said one end thereof;

hangers supported in said other channel for sliding movement longitudinally thereof and restrained from transverse movement out of said other channel by said end portions; said hanger means being removable from said other channel when same are moved into said region;

a pulley frame including a pair of upright, parallel side members, said side members extending into said one channel through said zone and being disposed parallel with and closely adjacent to the side walls of said one channel, at least one rotatable pulley mounted on said pulley frame and disposed between said side members;

means securing said pulley frame to said track.

6. In a dual-channel, ceiling supportable traverse rod structure, the combination comprising:

an elongated traverse track of constant cross-sectional configuration throughout its length and comprising a pair of downwardly opening channels separated by a central vertical web and having a pair of side walls spaced from said central web;

an end unit having a cross-sectional configuration identical to that of said track but having portions thereof cut away at least through a part of its length;

a covering member of essentially constant cross-sectional configuration throughout its length and comprising a downwardly opening channel having an end of said track and said end unit snugly inserted thereinto for maintaining said track and said end unit in axially aligned relationship;

a pulley frame received into one of the channels of said end unit;

fastening means securing said track to said covering member and, at least in part, securing said track to said ceiling;

a releasable fastening element at least partially securing said plurality frame, end unit and covering member together and to said ceiling.

7. The device defined in claim 6 wherein:

said traverse rod track and end unit each include a pair of similar, outwardly and oppositely directed flanges located on said side walls intermediate the top and bottom edges thereof for contacting the ceiling upon which said traverse rod structure is installed and masking the joint between said side walls and said ceiling; and

said covering member includes a pair of downwardly extending side sheets connected at their top edges by a top sheet for defining said downwardly opening channel, said side sheets extending downwardly into essentially continuous contact with said flanges on said traverse rod track and end unit to assure alignment of the flanges of said traverse rod track and unit.

8. The device defined in claim 6 wherein:

said pulley frame includes a pair of parallel support elements extending into that one of said channels of said traverse rod track which is aligned With said one channel of said end unit;

said one channel at said track includes a pair of opposed inwardly extending flanges for supporting said support elements;

said support elements have a radiused forward edge for allowing pivotal movement of said end unit around an axis extending laterally of said track;

said pulley frame having an upwardly opening hole through the end thereof opposite said support elements;

said end unit and said covering member having openings which are aligned with said hole and including a single screw insertable into asid hole and openings for fastening said pulley frame to said ceiling;

whereby said pulley frame may be removed from said traverse rod structure by removing said screw, allowing said opposi e end of said pulley frame to drop until said support elements are pivoted and moved clear of said flanges.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,786,052 Boye Dec. 23, 1930 1,972,604 Smith Sept. 4, 1934 2,486,224 Stutz Oct. 25, 1949 2,786,522 Weber Mar. 26, 1957 2,863,505 Cameron Dec. 9, 1958

Claims

1.IN A DUAL-CHANNEL, CEILING-SUPPORTABLE TRACE FOR A TRAVERSE ROD STRUCTURE, SAID TRACK HAVING LATERAL FLANGES EXTENDING TOWARD EACH OTHER AND DEFINING THE EDGES OF A SLOT COMMUNICATING WITH ONE OF SAID CHANNELS, A PULLEY UNIT FOR MOUNTING AT THE END THEREOF COMPRISING IN COMBINATION: AN END UNIT SEPARATE FROM SAID TRACK AND HAVING A CROSSSECTIONAL CONFIGURATION SUBSTANTIALLY IDENTICAL WITH THE CROSS-SECTIONAL CONFIGURATION OF THE TRAVERSE TRACK WITH SAID FLANGES OF SAID END UNIT BEING CUT AWAY; A COVERING MEMBER ALIGNING SAID END UNIT WITH A TRAVERSE TRACK AND WITH THE CHANNELS OF EACH THEREOF IN ALIGNMENT WITH EACH OTHER; A PULLEY FRAME INCLUDING A PAIR OF PARALLEL SIDE MEMBERS SPACED APART A DISTANCE SUCH THAT THEY CAN SNUGLY ENGAGE THE LEGS OF SAID ONE CHANNEL, MEANS SUPPORTING SAID SIDE MEMBERS RIGIDLY WITH RESPECT TO EACH OTHER AND AT LEAST ONE PULLEY ROTATABLY SUPPORTED BETWEEN SAID SIDE MEMBERS, SAID PULLEY FRAME BEING RECEIVED INTO SAID CHANNEL OF SAID END UNIT CORRESPONDING TO SAID ONE CHANNEL OF SAID TRACK WHERE SAID FLANGES ARE CUT AWAY; MEANS FIXING SAID PULLEY FRAME RIGIDLY WITH RESPECT TO BOTH SAID END UNIT AND SAID TRACK.