US3430678A

US3430678A - Traverse rod assembly

Info

Publication number: US3430678A
Application number: US586448A
Authority: US
Inventors: Robert S Steck; Harold N Barnes
Original assignee: HAROLD N BARNES; ROBERT S STECK
Current assignee: HAROLD N BARNES; ROBERT S STECK
Priority date: 1966-10-13
Filing date: 1966-10-13
Publication date: 1969-03-04
Anticipated expiration: 1986-03-04

Description

March 4, 1969 R. s. STECK ETAL 3,430,678

TRAVERSE ROD AS SEMBLY Filed on. 13, 1966 Sheet of 4 March 4, 1969 R. s. STECK ETAL 3,430,678

TRAVERSE ROD ASSEMBLY Filed Oct. 13, 1966 Sheet 3 of 4 March 4, 1969 R. s. STECK ETAL 3,430,678

TRAVERSE ROD ASSEMBLY Filed Oct. 13. 1966 Sheet 3 of 4 //9 /45 at: 4 422 A44 A46 United States Patent 8 Claims ABSCT OF THE DISCLOSURE A traverse rod assembly comprising a track having a rectangular cross section with a slot in the top thereof spaced from both vertical walls, with trolleys and guides alike being characterized by drapery hook ears extending to one side of said track to support draperies outside the vertical projection of the track and being supported by the rear flange of said slot and the front wall of said track, the supporting means of said trolleys and glides being capable of following a horizontal curve in said track, and a two-rope rigging system adapted to close a windowed surface or to open optionally either the center or the sides thereof.

This invention relates to an improved traverse rod assembly.

House construction today frequently provides a large double-glazed fixed window flanked on either side by smaller windows which may open in order to provide ventilation. This combination of windows is frequently expanded as far as the room which it serves will permit; meaning, of course, that on one or both sides of the combined window unit the wall space from the room corner to the edge of the unit may be a matter of only a few inches. Furthermore, materials which are employed for draperies are often heavy and bulky and cannot be compactly stored or collapsed on a traverse rod. Thus, with conventional rods, the storage of the draperies at the outer ends of the rods often perpetually obstructs or partially obstructs the ventilating windows.

One object of this invention, therefore, is the provision of a traverse rod assembly which affords a substantially greater manipulative scope to the handling of draperies such that the draperies may be stored not only against the outer extremities of the traverse rod, but may also be stored against the inner fixed pane of the window unit in either collapsed or partly extended position so as to provide for unimpeded ventilation. This latter mode of storage, in addition to the conventional mode, is not inconsequential. The fianking windows are usually quite small in comparison with the central pane, are broken up by cross strips, and, at the time ventilation is desired, are screened. Thus, by covering the central fixed pane with the draperies and leaving the flanking windows exposed, the desired privacy and screening from outside view will be provided, while at the same time, permitting ventilation. Likewise, the decorative value of the draperies will be present in substantial measure when in such position.

Another object of this invention is the provision of a traverse rod assembly whereby draperies may be hung on curved lines, as aroundthree sides of a bay, for instance, and yet which operates smoothly and without jamming in the course of manipulation.

Another object of this invention is the provision of a traverse rod assembly which operates with smoothness and ease greatly superior to conventional rod assemblies in conventional usage. The assembly is easily attached to and demounted from walls and is sturdy in structure and more attractive to the eye than conventional assemblies.

More specifically, another object of the present inven- 3,430,678 Patented Mar. 4, 1969 tion is the provision of a traverse rod assembly characterized by a traverse rod of novel cross section and the re- Iationship of a novel guide thereto which results in a smooth and easy operation, an ability to traverse curves in the traverse rod, an enclosure of the operating cords therefor in a fashion to avoid interference between the cords and the trolleys and the followers moved thereby, and an ability to support draperies outwardly from the vertical axis of the rod so that the rod may be covered by the top edge of the draperies without an outward deflection of that edge, in a fashion which assures a strong support and yet easy, friction-free movement.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent from the following figures in the drawings, of which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the channel of the assembly;

FIG. 2 is a perspective View of one form of a trolley of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a trolley with a drapery overlap arm similar to that shown in FIG. 2, and designed to work in cooperation with the trolley of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a section taken along the line 4-4 of FIG. 2 looking in the direction of the arrows showing the trolley as associated with the channel of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a longitudinal section through the trolley of FIG. 2 taken along the line 5-5 of that figure looking in the direction of the arrows and illustrating the cord in its relation to the trolley;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a glide shown as employed with the trolleys of FIGS. 2 and 3;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the bracket by which the channel is mounted to a wall;

FIG. 8 is a transverse section through the channel and an associated follower;

FIG. 9 is a side elevation of a follower and may be regarded as viewing the follower of FIG. 8 from the right side thereof;

FIG. 10 is a diagrammatic representation of the cord and trolley arrangement shown in conjunction with a diagrammatic representation of a window unit consisting of a fixed central pane and flanking, opening windows, illustrating the mechanism whereby the draperies may be opened either to the center or to the ends;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a central section of channel with two trolleys thereon illustrating, partly in phantom, the arrangement of cords by which the efiect of the showing of FIG. 10 is achieved;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view, partly in phantom, of an end of the channel illustrating the cord hardware;

FIG. 13 is a diagrammatic representation in plan of the channel of this invention shown applied to a bay;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the end portion of a length of channel showing a channel connector inserted partially thereinto;

FIG. 15 is a view similar to FIG. 13 illustrating the application of this invention to a window corner of a room;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a plurality of followers mounted to a curved section of channel illustrating the nature of the passage of the followers through a corner in such fashion as to avoid jamming or binding;

FIG. 17 is a top plan view of a trolley alternative to those of FIGS. 2 or 3 mounted to a section of channel;

FIG. 18 is a section taken along the line 18--18 of FIG. 17 looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 19 is a top plan view of a trolley mounted to a section of channel somewhat similar to that of FIG. 17 differently assembled;

FIG. 20 is a section taken along the line 2020 of FIG. 19 looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 21 is a vertical section through a channel and an alternative form of follower or trolley in section;

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of lengths of joined channel, broken away in part, illustrating an alternative method of connecting such lengths;

FIG. 23 is a side elevation of a trolley and constructed in accordance with teachings of FIG. 21; and

FIG. 24 is a top plan view of the trolley of FIG. 23.

Referring to FIG. 1, the channel of this invention is formed from a strip of metal by bending to define a top, flat, inwardly facing flange 12 having an underturned bead 14 therealong, a vertical back wall 16, a flat bottom wall 18, a lower lip 20 extending downwardly from the front edge of the bottom wall 18, a front face 22 extending continuously upward from the lower lip 20, an upper bearing rib 24 continuous with the front face 22, and a front, inwardly directed flange 26 facing the back flange 12. The facing

flanges

12 and 26 define a track along which the trolleys and followers, hereafter described, move. The front flange 26 extends inwardly down from the top edge of the bearing rib 24 by virtue of a refolding of the metal thereof. The back side 16 and the front face 22 have longitudinal grooves 28 and 30 respectively pressed thereinto. It will be noted that the channel is to be employed in the position illustrated, with the gap between the

flanges

12 and 26 facing upward and the front face and bottom of the channel presenting a relatively unbroken view to the room in which the channel is mounted.

A hanger 32 for the channel is illustrated in FIG. 7. It is formed to embrace the back, bottom and front of the channel, and includes a latch whereby the channel may be locked into the hanger. The hanger is likewise a strip of metal bent to define a vertical mounting plate 34 having screw holes 36 therein for the attachment of the bracket to a wall. A leg 38 extends outwardly from the bottom of the plate so as to space the channel outwardly a short distance away from the Wall. From the leg, the metal extends downwardly as at 40, forwardly as at 42, defines a channel 44 to receive the lower lip 20 of the channel 10, and then extends upwardly as at 46 to embrace the channel as described. The mounting bracket is supplied with inner embossed ribs 48 adapted to seat in the grooves 28 and 30 of the channel so as to provide a detent for the channel. A swinging latch 50 is pivotally riveted to the top of the leg 32 to be rotatable to a position where one end 52 thereof extends partially over the back flange 12 of the channel to lock the channel positively in place or to be removed from such position so as to permit withdrawal of the channel from the bracket.

In FIGS. 2 and 3 are illustrated the trolleys of the invention. The trolley 60 of FIG. 2 consists generally of an elongated metal strip 61 having two ears 62 extending transversely from one side thereof and bent downwardly at substantially a right angle of the plane. At each end of the strip, a glide 54 is pivotally riveted at 64 to the under side thereof.

The glide is particularly illustrated in FIG. 6. It consists of an elongated block of plastic such as nylon or the like, having good wear and anti-friction characteristics. The block has ends 56 rounded on a radius equal to half the length of the block, and has a circumferential groove 58 about the sides and ends thereof somewhat below the midpoint of the vertical dimension. A rivet hole 66 is formed vertically through the center thereof. The grooves 58 in the longitudinal edges of the glides 54 are adapted to engage the edges of the

flanges

12 and 26 of the channel 10 as may be best seen in FIG. 4. The rivet 64 will be passed through the preformed hole 66 in the glide 54.

Centrally of the strip 61 a T-shaped tab 68 is struck out of the metal of the strip and displaced slightly above the plane thereof, under which a cord 86 will be lodged in anchored relation. The relatively sharp edges of the tab and the sharp turns imposed on the cord by the tab insure a non-slipping relation of the cord therewith.

On either side of the tab and between the tab and the rivets 64, a pair of cord tubes 70 are situated. The cord tubes may be struck out of the metal of the strip 61 or, probably better, may be riveted into appropriate holes formed in the strip 61, to extend downwardly therefrom. The tubes desirably are flared at both their upper and lower ends and extend well below the glides 54.

It will be appreciated that the glides, contained between the facing

flanges

12 and 26 of the channel, support the metal strip 61 appreciably above the level of the bear ing rib or rail 24. Likewise, the ears 62 stand horizontally outward over the rail from the main body of the strip 61, as at 72, before being bent downward at 74. A hole is formed in the horizontal portions 72 of each of the ears centrally over the rail 24, and a. headed bearing member 76, desirably made of nylon or the like, is inserted into these holes, heads end down. The cars have holes 78 formed in their lower extremities for the reception of drapery hooks.

The trolley illustrated in FIG. 3, is the same in all respects as that illustrated in FIG. 2, except that the cars which terminate in free ends in FIG. 2 terminate here in an overlap strip 80 extending longitudinally of the trolley and horizontally beyond the trolley at one end 82 thereof. The overlap strip is provided with a plurality of drapery hook holes 84.

FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate the relation of the operating cords to the trolleys, whereby the trolley is anchored to a cord at a particular point along its length. The running part of the cord 86 lies below the trolley. The part engaged by the trolley extends up through one of the cord tubes 70, under the tab 68, and down through the other cord tube to a position again below the trolley. The tab 68 tightly accommodates the cord between its edges and the aperture out of which it was struck so as to prevent slippage. For adjustment of the trolley along the length of the cord, the cord may be displaced out from under the tab and the trolley moved to the desired point on the cord, at which point the cord will again be locked under the tab. It will be noted that the cord is thus suspended and maintained well below the glides, so as to avoid any possibility of jamming between the cord and the glides.

The followers 88 from which the draperies are hung between their ends are shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. They are, in their track-engaging portion, very similar to the glides 54, being elongated blocks of nylon or other suitable wear-resistant and friction-free materials, similarly rounded at their ends 89 and circumferentially grooved, as at 90, above the lower edge thereof. They extend above the level of the rail 24, as at 92. An integral tongue 94, equal in thickness to the vertical distance between the rail 24 and the top surface 92, extends laterally from the block and then bends vertically downward outside the rail 24, as at 96, to constitute a drapery hook ear. The car has a hole 98 therein for the reception of the drapery hook and includes a peripheral reinforcing rim 100 to impart additional strength and rigidity.

It will be noted from FIGS. 4 and 8 that the grooves of the trolley glides and the followers fit snugly the back flange 12 of the channel with its recurved edge, but fit loosely the front flange 26. Thus, the front flange plays a guiding function only for the glides or followers, but not a supporting function for whatever load may be imposed on them by the hung draperies. Rather, the rib or rail 24 serves the load-bearing function. It will be appreciated that the more widely spaced the two points of support for the trolleys or followers are, the less well be the torsional load placed on them. The back flange, being the most directly supported by the brackets 32 and having the recurved edge 14, will have relatively good rigidity. The rigidity of the front flange 26 will be relatively poor. By transferring the load to the relatively vertically wide front surface, as to the rail 24, the load is transferred to a vertically strong portion of the channel 10, and likewise the lever arm of the support is increased. The points of force and support application will be noted in FIG. 8, marked F.

FIGS. 10, 11, and 12 illustrate the application of the traverse rod assembly to the previously described Window assembly. In FIG. the Window group consists of the large central double-glazed stationary window 102 and the two flanking ventilating windows 104 of, for instance, the double hung or casement type. A double set of cords 86 is employed, respectively identified as either 86-L or 86-R, contained in a single channel. As shown in FIG. 10, the cord system 86-L is operated from the left side of the window, and the cord system 86-R is operated from the right side of the system, although both sets could be operated from the same side of the window, subject to possible confustion as to which cord performs which function. The showing here is simply to facilitate description of the operation of the system. As shown, each cord forms a continuous loop extending through the channel from opposite ends thereof to reversing pulleys 106L and 106-R, respectively, at the opposite ends of the channel. At the entering ends of the loops, the two sides of the loops are entrained over pulleys 108 so that the free end of the loop hangs out and downward of the channel in conventional fashion. Associated with the traverse rod assembly will be a left hand and right hand drape 110-L and 110-R. One cord system will carry the outside trolleys 112 and 114, and the other cord system will carry the

inside trolleys

116 and 118. The two trolleys associated with each cord set 86-L and 86-R will be situated on opposite sides of the cord loop as determined by the reversing pulleys 106L and 106-R. The left end of drape 110-L will be secured to trolley 112, and the right end to trolley 116, and the left end of drape 110-R will be secured to trolley 118, and the right end to trolley 114. The drapes will be supported between their ends by followers, also engaged in the channel track, but not ShOWn here in order to simplify the drawing.

FIG. 11 illustrates the actual accommodation of the cords and two of the trolleys within the channel.

FIG. 12 illustrating the central portion of FIG. 10, shows the trolley 116 and the trolley 118. These two trolleys are mounted to the two sides of cord 86-R, and it will be readily appreciated that the trolleys 112 and 114 will be similarly attached to the two sides of the cord 86-L outside the ends of the portion shown in FIG. 11. It will be noted that the cord tubes 70 maintain the cords well below the movement of the trolleys and out of the way of possible entanglement. It will be appreciated also that in some circumstances it may be desirable to have cord tubes 70 on one trolley of different length from the cord tubes on another trolley in order to obtain a different vertical location of the cords. It will also be noted that the cords lie neatly and in orderly fashion in the channel, that they are totally enclosed except for the slot opening in the top of the channel, and how unlikely is an escape of the cords from the channel.

The pulley hardware, appearing diagrammatically in FIG. 10 as 106 and 108, may be that commonly employed in traverse rods, with evident adaptations to the channel structure described here, or it is suggested that it may take the form illustrated in detail in FIG. 12. In that figure a short end section 120 is shown having a configuration adapted to receive telescopically an end of a channel section 10 and including a rearward extension with a wall mounting back plate 122. A pin 124 spans the end section 120 horizontally and mounts rotatably a pair of grooved spools 108 for the loop sides. A pin 126 spans the end section vertically and similarly mounts a single grooved spool 106R for loop end anchorage. The bottom of the end section may be cut away as at 127 for a free fall of the operating bight of the cord loop. It will be understood that although the cord loops are shown as continuous, they may be cut and knotted or may be free-ended lengths for purposes of entrainment over the operating hardware. Also, as will be seen later, they may terminate at each end at one of the trolleys to constitute an effective loop, if not an actual one. Thus, applying this showing to FIG. 10, the two sides of the cord loop 86L are shown entrained over the spools 108 and emerging from the channel, and the cord loop 86R is shown entrained over the spool 106R for purposes of end anchorage and reversal. It will be appreciated that with this structure, the end of the channel can be attractively capped so as to maintain its sightliness.

FIG. 13 illustrates the application of the traverse rod assembly to a bay. Both straight and curved sections of channel, 128 and 130 respectively, will be offered which can be formed to various lengths and the curved sections to various radii, and these sections joined as desired by connectors 132 illustrated particularly in FIG. 14. The connectors may be channel-shaped members having an exterior configuration identical with the interior configuration of the channel 10 proper on the back, bottom, and front, but lacking any correspondence to the

flanges

12 and 26. Thus channel sections can be butted together on the connectors 132 without any impairment to the continuity of the glide track defined by the

flanges

12 and 26 across abutting sections.

FIG. 15 illustrates a channel configuration where windows 134 on two sides of a corner are to be draped. The utility of being able to unveil the windows by collapsing the drapes either to the center or to the ends of the drapery channel 10 will be particularly noted. The decorative value of the drapes being gathered to the center of the channel in the corner itself will be notable in that a corner often lacks interest, and the location of the drapes there can supply a decorative component which may be strongly needed.

It will be noted in this figure that the corner turns of the channel are somewhat tighter than those illustrated in FIG. 13.

In FIG. 16 the particular adaptation of the followers 88 of this invention to such curved channel passages will be appreciated. The ends 56 are formed on a radius equal to half the length of the followers or glides, and thus meet each other squarely to provide a direct application of pressure as between consecutive glides. It will be appreciated, of course, that any collapsing of the draperies requires a pushing as between the followers. Thus the moved trolley encounter the first follower and pushes it along until it, in turn, encounters the next follower, etc. This transmittal of motion or force through the train of followers leads commonly to jamming with conventional traverse rod equipment even in straight traversals, but with the followers described here such jamming does not occur. The relatively great length of the followers in comparison with their width and the long bearing surface on the track maintains their desired orientation. Again, with conventional equipment the possibility of jamming over a curved track is substantially greater. The followers are apt to overlap one another under the most favorable circumstances, and lock. The followers described here, however, move with equal ease and facility and a freedom from jamming through a curved track as well as through a straight one.

For exceedingly tight corners, such as might be found in the sort of application illustrated in FIG. 15that is, a corner window installationthe trolley configurations illustrated in FIGS. 17 through 20 may be preferred. The trolleys consists of assemblages of followers substantially identical with those shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 linked together in a train.

The trolley 136 shown in FIGS. 17 and 18 consists of three connected members, two end members 138, and one center member 140, all of which resemble closely the followers 88 with, however, some modification. The center member 140 is nearly identical with the followers except that horizontal recesses 142 are formed in the ends thereof shortly above the peripheral grooves 90, and rivet holes 144 are formed vertically to extend through the recesses 142. The end members 138 have similar recesses .146 and rivet holes 148 formed in their inside ends adjacent the center member, and downwardly elongated bosses 150 at their outside ends, vertically perforated as at 152, to constitute a cord tube equivalent to the tubes 70 of the first described form of trolley. The members are connected together by flat metal links 154 pivotally contained at each end in

adjacent recesses

142 and 146 of the center and end members respectively by rivets 156. The cords 158 here may be attached to the trolleys by feeding an end of the cord up through the cord tube 152 and knotting it as at 160.

In the discussion of the mechanism shown in FIGS. and 11, it will be recalled that in the doubly functional drape hanging system, the adjacent drapery edges, for instances, are hung on the trolleys associated with the same cord but on opposite sides of the reversing pulley. Where, as here, the cord is not continuous, the cord connections may be made by connecting one of the trolleys at one end to a length of cord, carrying that cord around the reversing pulley 106, and knotting it at its other end to the other trolley. The other ends of the trolleys will have a cord knotted thereto which will constitute the pendant portion of the cord loop by which the trolleys are operated.

The trolley shown in FIGS. 19 and is essentially identical with that shown in FIGS. 17 and 18 except that the links 162 connecting the trolley members are situated on the top and bottom of the

members

164 and 166 instead of being housed in the recesses 146 of the modification of FIGS. 17 and 18. To this end, the end member 164 have vertical holes 168 therethrough displaced toward the inner end of the members, and the center member 166 has a central hole 170 vertically therethrough. Rivets 172 pivotally secure the flat links 162 across the flat top and bottom surfaces of the members to the end members and the center member. The links connecting one end member overlap those connecting the other end member upon the center member, but as the upper links ride above the track and the lower links ride below the track and well within the channel 10, there is no interference with function.

It was described above that in the assembly of channel sections, either for a long straight run or for one of the bay structures illustrated in FIG. 13 or 15, that the connectors 132 would be used.

These connectors are well suited to a professional installation where the working properties of the channel are well-known and measurements are precise. However, traverse rod assemblies are often installed by the homeowner himself, and in such instance, measurements are likely to be inexact. To meet this circumstance the structure illustrated in FIG. 22 is suggested. The teaching here is of telescoping sections which provide a range of accommodation to compensate for such inaccuracies or the absence of cut-off tools.

There is shown in FIG. 22 a left-hand channel section 180 and a right-hand channel section 182, both being identical in cross-section with the track 10 of FIG. 1 except in their overlapping areas. Adjacent the end of section 180, the underturned lip 14-L of the back flange 12-L is coined or flattened upwardly against the back flange so as to arrive at an effective thickness of the back flange equal to one-half the normal edge portion thickness as augmented by the underturned lip 14-L and in alignment with the top surface of the back flange 12-L. The channel section 182 in the overlapping area is similarly coined downward to reduce the effective thickness of the back flange 12-R, again, to one-half its normal thickness, but in the case of this section, the continuous surface is the under surface of the folded lip. Otherwise, as between these sections 180 and 182, the remaining surfaces of section 182 will desirably be reduced to be accommodated telescopically within the section 180. The coining of the two back flanges is, of course, to arrive :at a telescoped portion which is no thicker than the normal thickness of the back flange with the underturned lip since the grooves of the glides or followers accommodate the back flange snugly. On the other hand, with the loose fit of the glide grooves on the front flanges of the channel, an irregularity of path is of no critical consequence and a simple overlap is possible. The telescoped connection of channel sections will not result in as smooth an operation of the traverse rod structure, but as stated above, it lends itself well to amateur installation and, therefore, is a desirable manufacturing alterna ive.

The particular combination of glide and channel structure hitherto described functions smoothly and well and is characterized by notable simplicity. However, the channel contemplated in conjunction with this invention suggests an alternative form of trolley or follower which is illustrated in FIGS. 21, 23 and 24. This alternative form is related to the first described form in that the torsional load is carried by a reinforced back flange 186 and by a vertical front wall 188 of substantial width with an upper bearing rib 190 at the top edge thereof. In the effectuation of this modification, the channel 184 is modified only slightly in that, instead of the head of the first described form being turned under through it is turned down as at 192 through 90 so as to define a downwardly projecting rail from the front edge of the back flange 186.

FIGS. 23 and 24 illustrate specifically a trolley whereas FIG. 21, showing the trolley in section, may be regarded as illustrating a follower as well. In these figures, a plate 193 is bent into laterally and transversely displaced Us to provide journals for rollers which would ride respectively against the underside of the edge 192 of the back flange and against the top rib of the front face 188 of the channel. Thus, an essentially rectangular sheet of metal is bent along one longitudinal edge into a bottom, upwardly opening U 196. The inner leg 197 of the U is of sufficient length to extend up through the track between the facing flanges. Thereafter the metal is bent transversely outward as at 198 and then extends upwardly into a downward facing U 200 vertically aligned over the rib 190. A pair of drapery hanger ears 202 appropriately perforated 204 for the reception of drapery hooks extend downwardly from the outer edge of the plate in line with the adjoining side of the U over the front face 188 of the channel. A pair of rollers 206, desirably of nylon or the like, are journaled on shafts 208 extending between the sides of the upwardly facing U 196 and bear upwardly against thelower edge of the downturned lip 192 of the back flange 186. Similarly, a pair of rollers 210 are journaled on pins 212 extending between the side of the upper, downwardly facing U 200 to bear downwardly on the rib 190. Otherwise, these trolleys may be the same in all respects as the trolleys illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3. These trolleys provide a rolling contact with the appropriate channel surface rather than a sliding contact, but they stand a little higher above the level of the channel and to this extent are a little more difficult to conceal neatly.

For the followers, of course, the units may be substantially as illustrated in FIG. 23 only with closer spaced rollers or the follower may consist only of that section of the trolley as indicated by the line 210210 looking in the direction of the arrows. Such a follower does not have great inherent stability in itself, but the loading of the pendant drapery will sufiice to maintain its proper vertical orientation. This last described trolley or follower structure is not as proof against jamming and traversing corners, etc. as the first described form.

From the foregoing description it will be appreciated that a traverse rod system of novel function and design, and capable of versatile and yet smooth and certain operation, has been described here.

What is claimed is:

1. A traverse rod assembly for draperies which comprises a channel member adapted to be mounted to a wall, said member including a front wall, a bottom, and a back wall, and a horizontal flange associated with each wall facing and spaced from each other to define a track, and a drapery transport member comprising a block closely contained between the said flanges and having a horizontal rib overlying said back flange, said transport member including a portion thereof extending laterally from said block over said front wall and adapted for the attachment of a drape thereto to support said drape outside the vertical projection of said channel, said portion bearing against an area of the top of said front flange adjacent said front wall and spaced from the free edge thereof, said transport member deriving primary support from said back wall flange and said bearing on said area.

2. The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein said rib comprises the lower defining member of a groove in said block.

3. The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein said bearing area is over the top edge of the front wall of said channel member.

4. The combination as set forth in claim 3 wherein said block includes a groove loosely embracing the free edge of said front wall flange.

5. The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein said transport member is a trolley comprising a strip having a block mounted to the underside at each end thereof, said blocks having ribs engaging the underside of said back wall flange, and said strip has a portion extending laterally over said front wall and bearing against said front wall flange at a point adjacent said front wall and spaced from the free edge thereof, said trolley including means for attaching a cord thereto to move said trolley along said track.

6. The combination set set forth in claim 5 wherein said ribs comprise the lower defining members of circumferential grooves about said blocks.

7. A traverse rod assembly for draperies which comprises a channel member adapted to be mounted to a wall, said member including a front wall, a bottom, and

a back wall and a horizontal flange associated with each wall facing and spaced from each other to define a track, and a drapery transport member comprising a member supporting one vertical roller within said channel with the top edge exposed and bearing against the under side of the back wall flange and extending through said track to support another vertical roller with the bottom edge exposed and bearing against the top edge of said front wall exteriorly of said channel.

8. A traverse rod assembly for moving a pair of drapes to cover a window opening and optionally to open said drapes to the center or to the sides of said opening comprising a traverse rod having a track therein, four trolleys ararnged linearly in said track adapted for attachment to the top corners of each of said drapes, a pair of cords each having a loop extending from one end of said rod over a pulley at the other end thereof, the outer most trolleys being secured to opposite sides of one of said loops and the central trolleys being secured to opposite sides of the other of said loops.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,662,928 3/1928 Kirsch 345 2,653,344 9/1953 Graber 160-345 X 2,658,572 11/1953 Vallen 160*346 2,713,898 7/1955 Hartmann 160-123 2,745,488 5/ 1956 Rosenbaum 160344 2,827,656 3/1958 Weber 1687.4 2,840,159 6/1958 King 1687.6 3,055,420 9/1962 Del Faro et al. 160347 3,199,142 8/1965 Salzmann et al. 160-345 X 3,329,196 7/1967 Algie 160126 X 3,329,992 7/1967 Smith et al. 1687.4

DAVID J. WILLIAMOWSKY, Primary Examiner. PHILIP C. KANNAN, Assistant Examiner.

US. Cl. X.R.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3,430,678 March 4, 1969 Robert S. Steck et al.

It is certified that error appears in the above identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 4, line 67, "well" should read will Column 5, line 40, "FIG. 12" should read FIG. 11 Column 6, line 65, "consists" should read consist Column 7, line 31, "member" should read members Column 9, line 7, "overlying" should read underlying Signed and sealed this 7th day of April 1970.

(SEAL) Attest:

Edward M. Fletcher, Jr. E. JR

Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents