US503037A

US503037A - Curtain-fixture

Info

Publication number: US503037A
Authority: US
Publication date: 1893-08-08
Anticipated expiration: 1910-08-08

Description

(No Model.)

. I 2 Sheets-Sheet 2. G. A. GRISSON. CURTAIN FIXTURE.

Patented Aug. 8, 1893.

FIGS.

' nwE/vrok BY WITNESSES:

UNITED STATES? PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE A. CRISSON, OF TARRYTOWN, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO JAMES N. DICKEY, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

FIXTURE.

SPEGIFICA'IION forming part of Letters Patent No. 503,037, dated August 8, 1893.

Application filed anuary 9 1 8 93.

To all whom itmayconcerfi: j Be it known that I, GEORGE A. Cmsson, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Tarrytown, Westchester county, State of Newv York, have invented an Improved Curtain- Fixture, of which the following is a specifica- 1011. My invention relates to window curtain fiX-- tures, more particularly such as are intended for use in railway cars, and the object of my invention is to construct a simple but elfect ive curtain fixture which will enable the curtain to be raised orlowered to any position or height within the limits of the window frame. and to remain at any height to which it may be moved.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a face view or elevation of a railway car windowprovided with myimproved curtain fix-' ture, the frame or casing of the window being, shown in section. Fig. 2 is a section on the line 12, Fig. 1, but drawn to a larger scale: Fig. 3 is a section on the line 34, Fig. 1, also drawn to a larger scale, and with apart of z 5 the frame on one side in section. Fig. 4 is a sectional plan view on the line 5-6, Fig. 2.; Figs. 5, 6 and 7 are views of modifications.

Referring to Fig. 1, A is the window-frame, and B the window, which of course may both be of any suitable design or construction. The curtain O is of fabric, leather or other. suitable material, and is wound upon a spring roller D, the construction of this spring roller being such as to tend at all times to wind the curtain up on to the roller and therefore raise the curtain to its highest position. To retain the curtain in any desired position, while at the same time allowing of movement of the curtain from one position to another when desired, I make use of frictional means to act against the pull of the spring roller. Frictional means have been used before for this purpose, but I believe that I have devised a simpler and more effective construction than those heretofore employed, and theimportant feature of my invention consists in the combination with the lower end of the curtain of a rotary friction rod and means for causing that rod to rotate as the curtain is raised or lowered.

In constructing my invention in its sim- Serial No. 457.772. (No model.)

plest form, I provide the, lower end of the curtain with a tube T, which may be of the material of the curtain itself, particularly if the latter is wholly or at that point, of leather, but I prefer to use a metal tube, as shown in the drawings set within a loop or tube on the lower end of the curtain and forming a lining for the latter. Through this tube, whether formed with or without the metal lining, passes a rod R, preferably slightly smaller in diameter than the interior of the tube. The opposite ends of this rod R are provided with wheels W, which have some form of gear connection with the window casing or frame, so that as. 6 the curtain is raised or lowered, the rod will be caused to turn-within the tube in frictional contact with thelatter, and the friction of this contact should be such as to overbalance the pull of the spring in all positions of the cur- 7o tain and so maintain the latter in any position to which it may bemoved and yet permit of the curtain being raised or lowered to overcome this friction by a slight pulling or lifting applied to the bottom of the curtain. I prefer to provide in the side pieces of the frame or casing of the window, vertical grooves j E, in which the wheels W can travel and be more or less concealed, the rod being arranged to pass through and move in slots e opening 5 into the grooves in the side frame.

As a convenient and simple form of gear between the wheels and the frame I may use the friction gear shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 4. This consists of a simple rubber tire on the periphery of each wheel W and arranged to bear against the frame along one edge of the groove E. The portion of the rod R which passes through the vertical slot e is arranged to bear against the opposite edge of that slot, 0

so as to keep the wheel at all times pressed with the rod R causes the latter to rotate in a direction to rub up against the edge of the slot e in opposition to the longitudinal travel of the rod in the slot. This friction consequently between the rod and one face of the slot, which forms part of the frame, may be availed of to assist the friction between the rod and the tube at the bottom of the curtain.

In Fig. 7 I have shown another form of gearing. In this case a cord F of wire, chain or other material, fastened at the top and bottom of the frame, passes around the wheel V at each end of the rod R, the wheel W being grooved to receive the cord, which as the curtain is raised or lowered will cause the rod to rotate, as will be readily understood.

In the construction so far described the friction between the rotating rod R and the tube T at the bottom of the curtain is that which is due simply to the contact of the body of the rod with the lower part of the tube within which the rod lies. If desired, however, springs may be made use of to obtain this frictional contact. In the construction illustrated in Fig. 6, for instance, two forms of springs are found for obtaining the frictional contact. One consists of a spring 49 secured to the rod R and bearing against the interior of the tube T. The other spring frictional device consists of a spiral spring 3 bearing at one end against a collar 3 secured to the rod R and at the other end against a friction ring or disk t free to move longitudinally but not to turn upon the rod and bearing with frictional contact against a ring 5 secured within the tube.

Other forms of frictional contact between the rotary rod R and the bottom of the curtain will readily suggest themselves to any mechanic, as will also other forms of gear between the rotary rod and window frame or casing. I therefore do not wish to confine myself to any special details of construction in these particulars. It will also be understood that my invention is applicable to other uses than car windows.

I claim as my invention 1. The combination of a window-frame and curtain with a rotary rod having a frictional connection with the curtain and a gear connection of the rod with the frame to cause the said rod to turn as the curtain is raised or lowered, substantially as set forth.

2. The combination of a window-frame and curtain having a tube at its lower end, with a rotating rod passing through the tube in frictional contact therewith, and a gear connection between the frame and rotary rod, to cause the latter to rotate within the tube as the curtain is raised or lowered, substantially as set forth.

3. The combination of a window-frame and curtain having a metal tube at its lower end, with a rod passing through the tube in frictional contact therewith, and a gear connection between the rod and the frame to cause the rod to rotate as the curtain is raised or lowered, substantially as set forth.

4. The combination of a window-frame and curtain with a rotary rod having a frictional connection with the curtain and having wheels at its opposite ends geared to the frame to cause the said rod to turn as the curtain is raised or lowered, substantially as set forth.

5. The combination of a window-frame and curtain with a rotary rod having frictional connection with the curtain and having friction wheels at its opposite ends frictionally geared to the frame to cause the rod to rotate as the curtain is raised and lowered, all substantially as set forth.

6. The combination of a window-frame and curtain with a rotary rod having frictional connection with the curtain and having wheels at its opposite ends, the side pieces of the frame having slotted grooves in which the said wheels may travel in gear with the frame, substantially as set forth.

7. The combination of a window-frame and curtain with a rotary rod having frictional connection with the curtain and having wheels at its opposite ends, the side pieces of the frame having vertically slotted grooves in which the said wheels may travel, the rod bearing against one face of each slot to keep the adjacent wheel in gear with the frame, all substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

GEORGE A. CRISSON.

Witnesses:

EDITH J. GRIswoLn, I'IUBERT IIOWSON.