GB2066053A - Raising and lowering curtain rails - Google Patents

Abstract

A device for raising and lowering a curtain rail, comprising at least two pulleys rotatably mounted on a support member, each pulley having a string or cord pressed therearound, each said string or cord being connected at one of its ends to a curtain rail, the other end of each string or cord being connected to a pull cord, the support member being mountable on the walls and/or ceiling of a room. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION A device for raising and lowering a curtain rail The present invention relates to a device for rais ing and lowering rails or beams. More particularly, the present invention relates to a device which can be used to raise or lower a curtain rail so that the curtain may be attached or taken down from hooks provided on the rail at a level which is more convenientthan has hitherto been possible.

Known curtain rails are not provided with devices by means of which they can be raised and lowered so that the curtains can be hung ortaken down at a height convenient for the user. Often, therefore, it is necessary to use a step-ladder or the like to enable the user to reach the rail once it is in position. This is, however, dangerous due to the possibility of the user falling.

According to the present invention there is provided a device for raising and lowering a curtain rail, comprising at least two pulleys rotatably mounted on a support member, each pulley having a string or cord wound therearound, each said string or cord being connected at one of its ends to a curtain rail, the other end of each string or cord being connected to a pull cord, the support member being mountable on the walls and/or ceiling of a room.

The invention will be further described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is an elevational view of a device in accordance with the present invention, the device being shown in a raised position, in a room; Fig. 2 is a plan view of the device shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 shows an end elevation of part of the device shown in Figs. 1 and 2, and Fig. 4 shows a perspective view, from the front and one side, of the device shown in Figs. 1 to 3 having a curtain affixed thereto.

In Fig. 1,there is shown part of a room, the ceiling being denoted by the reference numeral 1, and a vertical wall, including a window being designated 2.

Affixed to the ceiling 1 is a mounting device 6a, of any suitable type, for a frame member 7. The frame member7 is also affixed, at each of its ends, to the vertical wall 2 by further mounting devices 6 of any suitable type. The frame member 7 has pulley or rollers 3, 3a and 3b mounted on its upper surface over which corresponding strings, cords, wires or cables 5, 5a and Sb are passed. After passing over ls associated pulley 3, 3a, 3b, each cord 5, 5a, Sb is passed through a substantially vertical aperture 4, 4a, 4b formed in the frame member 7. After passing through the apertures 4, 4a, 4b, the cords 5, 5a, Sb arebach attached to a curtain rail 8 of any suitable type.The length of the cords 5, 5a, Sb are so selected that the rail 8 remains horizontal. The other end of each of the cords 5, 5a, Sb is connected to a pull cord 9.

The device of the present invention can be utilised irrespective of the window sizes. Other refinements, such as a mechanism for locking the rail in a desired position, may be provided. In the embodiment shown in the drawings, this may comprise an additional pulley provided with a ratchet.

The number of pulleys or rollers provided depends on the length of the rail 8 and upon the weight of the curtains. Two or more independent devices may be provided in, for example, theatres where a plurality of curtains have to be operated independently.

The operation ofthe device shown in the drawings will now be described. Assuming that the device is in its raised position, as shown, the locking device is released. The cords 5, 5a, Sb which are all joined at their upper ends to their respective pulleys 3, 3a, 3b thus permit ths rail 8 to lower itself due to its own weight. Once the rail 8 is at a desired level, the locking mechanism is re-activated orthe cord 9 is fixed so that the rail 8 is locked in position. Raising of the rail is effected simply by reversing the abovedescribed procedure.

Another advantage ofthe above-described device is that a curtain can be hung upon a rail immediately after it has been ironed. To do this, the following procedure is adopted.

The user starts ironing the curtains at their upper ends and works downwardly. When a desired length has been ironed, the curtain is hung on the rail and the rail raised until the next portion of the curtain to be ironed is at a convenient height. The cycle is then repeated as many times as is necessary.

1. A device for raising and lowering a curtain rail, comprising at least two pulleys rotatably mounted on a support member, each pulley having a string or cord wound therearound, each said string or cord being connected at one of its ends to a curtain rail, the other end of each string or cord being connected to a pull cord, the support member being mountable on the walls and/or ceiling of a room.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1 additionally comprising means for locking the device at a desired level.

3. A device for raising and lowering a curtain rail constructed and arranged to operate substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (3)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION A device for raising and lowering a curtain rail The present invention relates to a device for rais ing and lowering rails or beams. More particularly, the present invention relates to a device which can be used to raise or lower a curtain rail so that the curtain may be attached or taken down from hooks provided on the rail at a level which is more convenientthan has hitherto been possible. Known curtain rails are not provided with devices by means of which they can be raised and lowered so that the curtains can be hung ortaken down at a height convenient for the user. Often, therefore, it is necessary to use a step-ladder or the like to enable the user to reach the rail once it is in position. This is, however, dangerous due to the possibility of the user falling. According to the present invention there is provided a device for raising and lowering a curtain rail, comprising at least two pulleys rotatably mounted on a support member, each pulley having a string or cord wound therearound, each said string or cord being connected at one of its ends to a curtain rail, the other end of each string or cord being connected to a pull cord, the support member being mountable on the walls and/or ceiling of a room. The invention will be further described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is an elevational view of a device in accordance with the present invention, the device being shown in a raised position, in a room; Fig. 2 is a plan view of the device shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 shows an end elevation of part of the device shown in Figs. 1 and 2, and Fig. 4 shows a perspective view, from the front and one side, of the device shown in Figs. 1 to 3 having a curtain affixed thereto. In Fig. 1,there is shown part of a room, the ceiling being denoted by the reference numeral 1, and a vertical wall, including a window being designated 2. Affixed to the ceiling 1 is a mounting device 6a, of any suitable type, for a frame member 7. The frame member7 is also affixed, at each of its ends, to the vertical wall 2 by further mounting devices 6 of any suitable type. The frame member 7 has pulley or rollers 3, 3a and 3b mounted on its upper surface over which corresponding strings, cords, wires or cables 5, 5a and Sb are passed. After passing over ls associated pulley 3, 3a, 3b, each cord 5, 5a, Sb is passed through a substantially vertical aperture 4, 4a, 4b formed in the frame member 7. After passing through the apertures 4, 4a, 4b, the cords 5, 5a, Sb arebach attached to a curtain rail 8 of any suitable type.The length of the cords 5, 5a, Sb are so selected that the rail 8 remains horizontal. The other end of each of the cords 5, 5a, Sb is connected to a pull cord 9. The device of the present invention can be utilised irrespective of the window sizes. Other refinements, such as a mechanism for locking the rail in a desired position, may be provided. In the embodiment shown in the drawings, this may comprise an additional pulley provided with a ratchet. The number of pulleys or rollers provided depends on the length of the rail 8 and upon the weight of the curtains. Two or more independent devices may be provided in, for example, theatres where a plurality of curtains have to be operated independently. The operation ofthe device shown in the drawings will now be described. Assuming that the device is in its raised position, as shown, the locking device is released. The cords 5, 5a, Sb which are all joined at their upper ends to their respective pulleys 3, 3a, 3b thus permit ths rail 8 to lower itself due to its own weight. Once the rail 8 is at a desired level, the locking mechanism is re-activated orthe cord 9 is fixed so that the rail 8 is locked in position. Raising of the rail is effected simply by reversing the abovedescribed procedure. Another advantage ofthe above-described device is that a curtain can be hung upon a rail immediately after it has been ironed. To do this, the following procedure is adopted. The user starts ironing the curtains at their upper ends and works downwardly. When a desired length has been ironed, the curtain is hung on the rail and the rail raised until the next portion of the curtain to be ironed is at a convenient height. The cycle is then repeated as many times as is necessary. CLAIMS

1. A device for raising and lowering a curtain rail, comprising at least two pulleys rotatably mounted on a support member, each pulley having a string or cord wound therearound, each said string or cord being connected at one of its ends to a curtain rail, the other end of each string or cord being connected to a pull cord, the support member being mountable on the walls and/or ceiling of a room.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1 additionally comprising means for locking the device at a desired level.

3. A device for raising and lowering a curtain rail constructed and arranged to operate substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.