EP0420441A2

EP0420441A2 - Curtain track system

Info

Publication number: EP0420441A2
Application number: EP90309913A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Peter John Bolton
Original assignee: MCKECHNIE CONSUMER PRODUCTS Ltd
Current assignee: MCKECHNIE CONSUMER PRODUCTS Ltd
Priority date: 1989-09-23
Filing date: 1990-09-11
Publication date: 1991-04-03
Also published as: GB8921550D0; GB9019859D0; EP0420441A3; GB2236473B; GB2236473A

Abstract

A curtain track system comprises a flexible, plastics material track member (10), having in a rear surface thereof a central longitudinal lipped groove (14) and upper and lower longitudinal lipped channels (37) at opposite sides thereof, a ball chain (38) retained in the channels (37) and extending over rollers (18) in end caps (12) at respective opposite ends of the track member, support brackets (16) releasably securable to the track member at said groove (14) by operating from the front of the track member a manually operable pivotal catch (25), and upper and lower master gliders (39, 40) mounted on the track member and releasably securable to respective upper and lower runs of the ball chain in said channels (37) by operation at the front of the track member of manually operable pivotal members (50) which each have a free rear end with a 'vee' notch (53) for engaging the ball chain (38) between a pair of adjacent balls thereof and trapping it towards an inner surface of one of said channels.

Description

This invention relates to a curtain track system of the kind comprising a track member, a pair of master gliders mounted upon the track member and a cord operable in use to move the master gliders in opposite directions on the track member whereby in use curtains supported on the track member can be moved between their closed and open positions and vice versa.
All used herein, the word 'curtain' is used to include screens or similar members.
Such systems are known in the art and traditionally the cord is a plain cord which extends around rollers at the opposite ends of the track member. The master gliders are coupled to the upper and lower runs of the cord so respectively that when the cord is operated the gliders will move in opposite directions. With such an arrangement the track system is capable of being used for straight runs or in situations where the track is concave. It is not suitable for use when the track is convex.
In U.K. Patent specification No. 1 363 270, there is disclosed a curtain track assembly of the kind referred to above, where a part of a coupling device of each master glider is within one of a pair of grooves of the track member where it embraces the cord. The coupling device is mounted on the master glider and has an operating member outside of its associated groove for rotating its part within the groove so as to grip the cord and securely couple it to the master glider. With the majority of the embodiments of the coupling device described, it is necessary for the cord to pass through a closed loop part of the device within the groove. This complicates the assembly of the track, cord, coupling device and master gliders.
One embodiment of the coupling device uses a C-shaped member to embrace the cord whilst another uses a specially shaped plastics strap which has a support portion to engage a master glider and which has to be wrapped around the cord and locked to itself to secure it to the cord.
Both of these embodiments are improvements on the other embodiments, but suffer from disadvantages. The operating member of the first embodiment is behind the track and thus could be difficult to operate close to a wall. Although not wholly surrounding the cord it could be difficult to engage it with the cord in a groove. The second embodiment is also likely to be difficult to engage with the cord in a groove, in view of the confined space behind the track and its small size and locking arrangement.
Finally, it is considered that the cord could come out of its grooves if the track is bent convexly.
An object of the present invention is to provide a curtain track system in a simple and convenient form, which overcomes the disadvantages mentioned.
According to the present invention there is provided a curtain track system comprising a flexible track member defining a pair of spaced channels extending along the length thereof, a pair of master gliders mounted on the track member, and a ball chain having respective lengths thereof retained in the channels, the master gliders being coupled to respective lengths of ball chain, so that, in use, the ball chain is operable to move the master gliders in opposite directions on the track member, whereby curtains supported on the track member, in use, can be moved between their closed and open positions and vice versa.
As used herein the expression 'ball chain' covers the conventional arrangement of a multiplicity of regularly spaced spherical members secured along an elongated constant cross-section member, as well as equivalent arrangements where the members are other than spherical and/or regularly spaced. The material of all the arrangements can be metal/plastics in any combination.
The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic exploded perspective view of the curtain track system of the invention,
Figure 2 shows a detail of a catch of a support bracket of Figure 1,
Figure 3 is a side view of a master glider of Figure 1, and
Figures 4, 5 and 6 are perspective views showing alternative forms of parts of the system of Figure 1.

The track system comprises a flexible, plastics track member 10 of elongated form and upon which can be mounted curtain runners or gliders 11. The track member is fitted with end caps 12 to prevent the runners sliding off the track in use and each end cap is of hollow construction and is provided with an integral spigot 13 which can be engaged in a central longitudinal groove 14 formed in the rear surface of the track member. The groove 14 has overhanging portions 15 which besides locating the spigots 13 also serve to enable the track member to be secured to a number of support brackets 16, (only one shown).
At its end from which the spigot 13 projects, the end cap is open and of such a size that it can be engaged about the end portion of the track member. The internal surfaces which define the opening into which the end of the track member extends are provided with ribs (not shown) which engage with the track member. The end cap has in its upper surface an aperture 17 through which can be passed a grooved roller 18, which has integral pins 19 extending from its opposite sides to locate in grooves 20 formed in the opposite internal side faces of the end cap. The grooves extend to about half the depth of the end cap and have narrowed portions intermediate their ends to prevent the roller falling out of the cap. At its closed end, remote from the spigot, the upper and lower surfaces of the end cap are provided with locations 21 to locate a runner 11, which then forms an end runner of the curtain.
Each support bracket, which is of plastics material, comprises a body 22 which is formed with an aperture or apertures for the reception of screws whereby it can be secured to a batten or the like. In addition the body defines a limb 23 which extends substantially at right angles and in the upper-surface of which adjacent the free end is a groove 24. The upper one of the overhanging portions 15 of the track member can be located in the groove so as to provide support for the track member. In order to retain the track member relative to the support members the latter each include a manually operable catch 25, shown in detail in Figure 2. Each catch comprises a pivotal tab 26 engageable by the fingers of the user, the tab being pivotable about an axis indicated at 26A. The tab 26 is integrally formed with a clip portion 27 having a lower edge 28, which can engage behind the lower overhanging portion 15 of the track member, and a stop surface 29. Extending integrally from the rear of the tab 26 is an elongated retaining member 30 which has a hook 31 at its free end.
In the drawing the catch is shown in its inoperative position. In this position the tab 26 is tilted forward and the clip portion 27 is hidden from view behind a front wall 32 of the bracket limb 23, its stop surface 29 engaging an undersurface of wall 32, and some resistance to movement being provided by an upstanding low rib 33 on surface 29 engaging against the rear of wall 32. The hook 31 is clear of an upper rear edge or lip 34 of a transverse web of the limb 23, with which it can engage, as will be explained. The rib 33 thus holds the catch in its inoperative position.
In this state the upper overhanging portion 15 of the track member can be located in the groove 24 with spaced lower front parts 35 of the limb 23 engaging on the lower overhanging portion 15. To secure the bracket to the track member it is merely necessary to press against the front of the tab 26 to cause it to pivot rearwardly. This pressure can ioe applied from the front of the track member by reaching slightly underneath and behind it. The catch 25 is of plastics material and a first pair of spaced recesses on the underside of the limb 18, behind the parts 35, receive respective pivot pegs 36 of the catch to form a hinge on axis 26A.
The pivoting causes the clip portion 27 to swing downwardly from behind wall 32 so that its edge 28 lies below and in front of the lower overhanging portion 15, thereby preventing disengagement of the track member from the bracket in a forward direction. Locking of the bracket in its operative state is accomplished by pivoting the clip portion 27 fully rearwardly until the hook 31 snaps over the edge 34 of the limb 23, the surface of the hook 31 being curved to facilitate the snap-fit. The engagement of the hook 31 tends to draw the pegs 36 on the catch into the recesses on the support member body to ensure positive location of the catch. To disengage the bracket from the track member sufficient forward pressure must be applied to the tab 26 to disengage the hook 31 from edge 34, whereupon the front face 32 can be tilted downwardly to disengage the upper overhanging portion 15 from groove 24, and permit removal. When the support brackets are engaged and locked on the track member, the track member can still be slid along them as required.
The rear face of the track member is also provided with a further pair of longitudinal channels 37. These are disposed on opposites sides of the groove 14 and are narrower in width. The channels 37 are also provided with overhanging portions so as to retain in the channel a cord in the form of a ball chain 38. As mentioned, each end cap 12 carries a grooved roller 18 and each end cap also defines openings above and below its spigot 13, through which the ball chain 38 can pass. The openings are aligned with the channels 37 respectively. The chain 38 extends wholly around the roller 18 at one end of the track member, but at the other end only the upper run 38A of the chain passes around the roller before it is passed through an opening in the underside of the end cap along with the lower run of the chain 38B from the lower channel.
The upper and lower runs 38A, 38B of the chain are secured to upper and lower master gliders 39, 40 respectively of plastics material. The lower master glider 40 comprises a plastics material, generally C- shaped body portion 41 with upper and lower lips 42, 43 respectively. The portion 41 can slidably or snap fittedly engage on the track member for sliding movement therealong, with the lips 42, 43 lying over respective upper and lower rear surfaces of the track member. A slot 44 extends continuously from the free end of the lower lip 43, through the lower end limb and a short way up the main limb of the master glider. Respective lower surfaces of the slotted end limb have recesses, one of which 45 is shown. The outer surface of the main limb has in its two spaced limbs, formed by the slot 44, respective recesses 46, 47 above respective cam parts 48, 49 extending to the lower end of the main limb.
The body portion 41 carries a plastics material, pivotal operating member 50 in the form of a beam which has a pair of integral pins, one of which 51 is shown, locating in the recesses 45. The other pin similarly locates in the other recess of the slotted end limb. At the end of the beam adjacent the pins, the beam is bent at right angles and then further bent at right angles to form a tab 52 which, in use, can engage the ball chain between adjacent balls thereof. The inner end of the tab is provided with a 'vee' notch 53 in which, in use, is received the cord or the like which extends between the balls of the ball chain.
The member 50 has an operating lever portion 54 extending integrally from its said twice bent end, the portion 54 tapering down in thickness towards its free end. The portion is of a length to extend beyond the front of the body portion 41, where it has a transversely enlarged end grip part 55. The junction of the narrower part of the lever in the slot 44 and the wider end part 55 defines respective part circular section shoulders 56, 57 and these engage in the recesses 46, 47 respectively in the unlocked or inoperative state of the master glider lever. In this state the tab 52 is pivoted rearwardly and downwardly from the Figure 3 position.
To lock the master glider to the ball chain, it is engaged on the track member and slid along it until the 'vee' notch is aligned as required with the cord between adjacent balls of the ball chain. Downward pressure is then applied to the grip part 55 from the lower front part of the track system. Sufficient pressure will cause the shoulders 56, 57 to move out of recesses 46, 47 and across the cam parts 48, 49 until they snap past them as the 'vee' notch engages the ball chain cord lightly against the inner surface of the front face of the track member, the grip part 55 then being loosely held below the cam parts. Release of the lower master glider is easily effected when and if required by pushing the grip part 55 upwardly from the front of the track member so that the shoulders again engage in the recesses 46, 47. Figures 1 and 3 show the locked or operative position of the lower master glider.
The upper master glider can be of the same form as the lower master glider, being simply inverted so that the 'vee' notch engages cord in the upper channel 37. However, manufacture's wording or a logo on the master gliders will normally determine that one is an upper one and the other a lower one. Moreover Figure 1 shows an arrangement where the upper master glider 39 is incorporated into a plastics material overlap arm 58 of conventional form having aligned upper and lower locations 59 for mounting runners or gliders 11 in a similar manner to locations 21. When the master gliders are brought together at the centre of the track member, the leading edge portion of the curtain carried by the lower master glider, the one runner 11 to the left and the multiplicity of runners 11 to the right thereof will be overlapped by the leading edge of the other curtain supported by the upper master glider overlap arm and runners 11 to the left thereof. The upper master glider 39 is of identical form to the lower master glider as regards its structural parts and their function. The grip part 55 of course extends above the track member but is still operable from the front of the system.
Since the ball chain 38 is retained within the channels 37 it is possible to tend the track member to either concave or convex form and the chain will still function as described. Moreover both the brackets 16 and master gliders 39, 40 are operable from the front of the track member, thus overcoming difficulties through lack of space rearwardly of the track member with prior art arrangements.
Figure 4 shows an alternative form of support bracket 16A. It is similar in construction and operation to the bracket 16, but differs in that its catch solely has a tab 26A and clip portion 27A. The two component parts are of plastics material and a second pair of recesses (only one 60 shown) and pins (only one 61 shown) on the limb 23A and catch 25 respectively provide retention by snap-fit in the operative or locked position of the bracket, as shown in Figure 4.
In Figure 5 there is shown a modified master glider 39A. It is of similar form to both of the master gliders 39, 40 (without the overlap arm), and is shown as an upper master glider. It differs from gliders 39, 40 in having a pressure pad 62 and an integral leaf spring element 63 which biases the beam 50A in the clockwise direction as illustrated in the drawing. Depression of the pressure pad 62 against the action of the spring 63 frees the tab from the chain thereby enabling the glider to be moved to the desired position before releasing the pad to re-engage the glider with the chain.
Figure 6 shows an alternative form of master glider, an upper one 64 being shown. The upper master glider 64 comprises a plate like body defining a pair of spaced projections 65 on one face. The projections 65 extend into the upper channel 37. Also defined on the face of the body are a pair of clip portions 66 which engage behind the overhanging portions of the channel to retain the glider in position. The spacing between the projections 65 and the clip portions 66 is such as to accommodate a ball of the ball chain, when the glider is located in position in the channel. The body of the glider 64 extends upwardly so as to locate in use, between and be engageable with, a pair of the runners 11 fastened to one curtain. The lower glider is of like construction but in this case the body extends downwardly and is located in the lower channel 37 and moves with the lower run of the ball chain. In use movement of the chain will again result in movement of the master gliders in opposite directions.
Accordingly referring to Figure 1, it can be appreciated that with the ball chain in the channels 37 and with the end caps and rollers in position, the master gliders 39, 40 and ordinary runners 11 can be engaged on the track member. The master gliders are positioned at opposite ends of the track member respectively with a selected number of runners 11 between each master glider and the end cap. Moreover each end cap has a runner at its location 21, runners are at locations 59 on the overlap arm and an end runner 11 is to the left of the master glider 40. The master gliders, originally in their inoperative positions, are then secured to the ball chain by pushing down their grips 55, so as to lie as close as possible to their respective associated end caps as the runners will allow and with the 'vee' notch between adjacent balls of the ball chain.
The track member can be secured to a number of suitably spaced support brackets 16 attached directly or indirectly to a wall or ceiling. All that is required is that the track member is presented up to the brackets in their inoperative positions, engaged in the grooves 24, and the tabs 26 then forced rearwardly to lock the track member to the brackets. The brackets in no way interfere with the ball chain and pulling of this in one direction draws the master gliders and thus the curtains together, and pulling in the opposite direction moves the curtains and master gliders apart.
Where a long run of track member is required, a double end cap for joining two sections can be provided, the double end cap having respective spigots at its opposite ends and defining two adjacent openings for a pair of rollers and ball chains.

Claims

1. A curtain track system comprising a flexible track member defining a pair of spaced channels extending along the length thereof, a pair of master gliders mounted on the track member, and a ball chain having respective lengths thereof retained in the channels, the master gliders being coupled to respective lengths of bally yn chain, so that, in use, the ball chain is operable to move the master gliders in opposite directions on the track member, whereby curtains supported on the track member, in use, can be moved between their closed and opened positions and vice versa.

2. A curtain track system as claimed in Claim 1, wherein each master glider has a pivoted operating member movable between an operative position where it is coupled to the ball chain and an inoperative position where it is released therefrom and is slidable along the track member.

3. A curtain track system as claimed in Claim 2, wherein one free end of the pivoted operating member has a 'vee' notch therein to engage a part of the ball chain between a pair of adjacent balls thereof and trap said part between said one free end and a surface of one of said channels.

4. A curtain track system as claimed in Claim 2 or Claim 3, wherein said master glider has a body portion of C-shape with facing upper and lower lips, a main limb of the body portion being disposed on the front of the track member and said operating member extending forwardly beyond said main limb to provide a grip part for operation of the operating member from the front of the track member.

5. A curtain track system as claimed in Claim 4, wherein the body portion and/or the operating member are of resilient material, the body portion providing a pair of recesses for snap-fit engagement of respective shoulders of the operating member in its inoperative position, and a pair of cam surfaces over which the operating member must be pivoted to reach its operative position.

6. A curtain track system as claimed in Claim 5, wherein the operating member is pivotable by means of a pair of integral pivot pins extending from opposite sides thereof engaging in a pair of corresponding recesses respectively formed in an outer surface of an upper or lower limb of the body portion, the operating member pivoting, in use, within a slot extending from one of said lips of the body portion into said main limb thereof.

7. A curtain track system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein one of the master gliders forms part of an overlap arm spaced outwardly from the front of the track member.

8. A curtain track system as claimed in Claim 7, wherein the overlap arm has at least one location for fixedly mounting a curtain runner.

9. A curtain track system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the track member has end caps fitted thereto at its respective ends, each end cap carrying a roller therein, over which at least one run of the two runs of the ball chain in the channels is received.

10. A curtain track system as claimed in Claim 9, wherein each end cap has a spigot extending from one of its ends which engages in a central longitudinal groove in a rear surface of the track member, the member itself being hollow around the spigot and engaging over an end of the track member.

11. A curtain track system as claimed in Claim 10, wherein opposite internal side surfaces of each end cap have facing closed ended grooves respectively and oppositely directed pins at opposite sides of said roller are received in said grooves rotatably to mount the roller in the end cap, the roller being inserted, in use, through an aperture in an upper surface of the end cap.

12. A curtain track system as claimed in any one of Claim 9 to 11, wherein each end cap has at least one location for fixedly mounting a curtain runner.

13. A curtain track system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the track member has a longitudinal groove in a rear surface thereof, in which groove part of a support bracket is received between facing first and second lips, the bracket having a catch which is pivotally movable on a body of the bracket between an operative position where the bracket is secured to the track member, and an inoperative position where the bracket can be removed from the track member.

14. A curtain track system as claimed in Claim 13, wherein the body has part for securement to a surface, and a limb extending forwardly therefrom, the limb having a groove therein receiving said first lip of said longitudinal track groove, the catch having a clip portion which in the operative position of the catch engages against said second lip, the catch having a tab which extends outwardly from said support bracket body and is manually operable, in use, by a user at the front of the track member.

15. A curtain track system as claimed in Claim 14, wherein the limb of the support bracket body has a rear edge, the catch has retaining member and the limb and/or the retaining member is of resilient material so that, in use, in the operative position of the catch its retaining member snap-fittingly engages with said rear edge to lock the catch.

16. A curtain track system as claimed in Claim 14 or Claim 15, wherein the clip portion has an upstanding rib on a stop surface thereof which engages a front surface of said groove in the limb of the support bracket body when the catch is in its inoperative position, the rib and/or said front surface being of resilient material.

17. A curtain track system as claimed in any one of Claim 14 to 16, wherein the catch is pivotable by means of a pair of integral pivot pins extending from opposite sides thereof engaging in a pair of corresponding recesses respectively formed in an outer surface of said limb of the support bracket body.