GB2338643A

GB2338643A - Curtain glider

Info

Publication number: GB2338643A
Application number: GB9805225A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Mark Christopher Hughes; Janusz Lucien Holland
Original assignee: H2 PRODUCT DEV Ltd
Current assignee: H2 PRODUCT DEV Ltd
Priority date: 1998-03-11
Filing date: 1998-03-11
Publication date: 1999-12-29
Also published as: GB9805225D0

Abstract

A glider 12 for loop top curtains comprises a split cylindrical tube 8 having arms 26,28 which receive the loops of the curtain. The loops lie on the tube surface without bridging the gap of the split. The ends of the split are turned in to engage elongate slots 16,18 on the rail 14, eg by snap fitting. The arms may slide axially to facilitate loop engagement or the tube itself may be formed by two slidingly engaged parts (Fig 6). Also disclosed (Figs 8-11) is a similar split tube having decorative ends simulating curtain rings with hooks underneath for hanging a curtain.

Description

2338643 1 A GLM BR FOR A CURTAIN, A CURTAIN- RAIL AND A CURTAIN PLAM AND

GLLDER ASSEMBLY The invention relates to a glider for a curtain, a curtain rail and a curtain rail and glider assembly.

One type of the curtain is the tab top or loop top curtain. In this style of curtain, a series of loops usually made out of the same material as the curtain are attached to the top of the curtain proper. A straight pole is then inserted through the loops of material and the pole with the curtains mounted on it is then attached to the wall.

One problem with tab top curtains is that the loops of material do not always move smoothly over the pole.

is According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a glider for a tab top curtain.

Another problem with tap top curtains is that it is difficult to mount the pole with the curtains attached to it because of the extra weight of the curtains and the fact that the curtains can slide on the pole and change the ' X 2 weight distribution making the entire process unwieldy.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a 0 glider for a tab top curtain, wherein a curtain loop can be attached to the glider when the glider is on the rail.

In this way, because a glider is provided, the curtain loops will run 0 more freely. Also, the rail can be mounted on the wall without the curtain and the loops of the curtain can then be attached to the rail once the rail has been connected to the wall, which is a much easier operation. The appearance of the traditional tab top curtain is maintained.

Another problem with tab top curtains is that, because the curtain loops surround the pole, the pole can only be connected to the wall at its ends and in the middle, and the pole cannot readily be angled to go round corners because an additional connection to the wall cannot be made at the corner. Thus, for example it is not possible to put a tab top curtain in a bay window.

Preferably, the glider defines does not surround the.;,;i 3 a gap between two free ends so that it Mount a curtain loop such ana Ine glider includes r11Ountintcr means to that thp t," between the free ends Of the glider.

In this way, the rail can be attached tn th Position because the glider on the rAil - J."wl 100D does nnr h,.;A se uie gap -- wail at any desired rut P4ss the connection to the wmI which w"' 90 through the-Rap berw,.,.,, , g, c, Iree ends Of the g glider.

Accordinor 0 to another aspect of the invention tI, free ends Of the glider and the i;,i glider for, tab Op Curtain, wherein the "1;,4 ------is Provided a -,t ur-lmes a gap between two cur'a'n '00P Such that the curtii,, j - Mcludes mountin m b " to mount a 1 'l.

00P does not bridge the gap between the said free ends Of the glider.

In each case the n this way, a tab top curtain nlollntpd indistinguishable f.,.- suder is Preferably bidden bY the attached loop.

VII ule 911Clers will look a taD tC c MOunted on a Pole. Alternatively th. j extend Outside each conventionally, directly 8'u r"' may cOMPrise decorative axial ends to end of the Curtain loop.

1 4 While the pole for mounting a tab top curtain normally is circular in cross-section, so that the loops slide more easily over it, by means of the invention, with the use of gliders, the rail can be of any desired shape and might be for example square, hexagonal, or barley twist shaped as desired. Preferably, the shape of the surface of the glider on which the outer layer of the loop lies is the same as the shape of the rail underneath the surface of the glider. In this way, because the shape of the glider mimics the shape of the rail undemeath it where the loop lies tightly over it a realistic appearance will be obtained. In the majority of cases it is anticipated that the pole will be circular, to mimic the normal pole tab top curtain mounting, and the surface of the glider on which the outer layer of the loop lies is preferably in the shape of part of a cylinder.

Preferably further, the shape of the surface of the glider on which the inner layer of the curtain loop lies is the sarne as the shape of the rail underneath that surface of the glider. When someone views the curtain straight on, they will not see this surface of die glider, but if they should look at the curtain from an angle, this surface will become visible to some extent and so mimicking the rail in this area further increases the realism of the appearance.

The glider preferably includes means to attach a curtain loop adjacent each said free end of the glider. The curtain loop is thus attached over the maximum possible surface of the glider to best hide the fact that the curtain loop does not in fact pass round the rail. The attaching means may take any suitable form and in one embodiment the attaching means of the glider comprises at least one element around which the c loop can be looped to thereby attach the curtain loop to the glider. The curtain is thus readily attached and the loop can preferably move with respect to the or each element so that the loop is readily adjusted to he and hang correctly. The or each element may comprise an arm which preferably extends axially of the glider. The or each arm may conveniently extend from an axial end of the body of the glider and then retum, thereby assuming a U or J shape. The glider preferably includes means to attach a curtain loop at upper and lower positions which are out of sight of a person viewing the curtainsIn use. The glider may suitably include means to attach a curtain, loop at 11 o'clock and 8 o'clock about the rail.

There is not a standard width for the curtain loops of a tab top curtain and in order to cater for different widths, the axial length of the glider is preferably adjustable and may be continuously adjustable. The glider preferably comprises at least two relatively axially moveable parts 1 6 which are in frictional engagement. Where at least one arm is provided, the or each arm may be slidably received in the body of the glider. In another embodiment the glider comprises two parts with parallel interdigitating fingers in frictional engagement.

The glider may be arranged to be retained on the rail by surrounding more than half of the rail and the glider may be resilient to be snapped over the rail. Preferably, the glider includes at least one inwardly directed projection to be received in a channel in the rail. The or each projection may be provided at 11 o'clock and may also be provided at 8 o'clock about the rail. The or each projection may additionally or alternatively be provided adjacent a free end of the glider. Preferably at least one projection is provided adjacent to each said free end of the glider.

A known c rail assembly comprises a straight, round section pole and a plurality of circular wooden rings on the pole, each ring including a depending hook or eye loop on which a curtain can be C mounted to hang underneath the rings which are thus visible in use.

A problem with this known arrangement is that the pole can only 7 be connected to a wall or ceiling at each end and in the centre, because the rings cannot pass the connections to the wall or ceiling. This is inflexible. This also means that the pole cannot readily be angled to go around corners because the necessary additional support for the pole at these corners cannot be provided without restricting the movement of the rings.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a glider comprising a broken ring, the ring being round, generally round or in the form of a regular polygon, the glider including means to attach a curtain thereto.

In this way, because the ring is broken, the glider can pass over the connections connecting the pole or rail to the wall and yet the attractive appearance of the known traditional arrangement is retained.

Ile attaching means may take any suitable form but preferably comprises a depending hook or eye loop.

The glider preferably includes at least one radially inwardly extending projection to engage in a corresponding channel in the rail. The 8 Ibreak in the ring is defined between free ends of the ring and the or a radially inwards projection is preferably provided adjacent the upper free end. A radially inwards projection is preferably also provided adjacent the lower free end.

According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a curtain rail assembly comprising a plurality of gliders according to any previous aspect of the invention and a rail.

Where the gliders include at least one projection, the rail preferably includes a corresponding channel. Where the rail includes at least one 0 channel to receive a projection on a glider, the or each channel is preferably arranged to be out of sight of a person viewing the curtains in use- The or each channel may be provided at 11 o'clock andlor 8 o'clock about the rail.

According to another aspect of the invention there is vided a rail 0 pro comprising at least one channel outside the field of view of a person when the rail is mounted in use.

9 The or each channel is preferably between the 8 o'clock and 12 o'clock positions looking at one end of the rail. The or one channel is preferably provided at 11 o'clock but may alternatively or additionally be provided at the 8 o'clock position.

is Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompany drawings, in which:- FIG.1 is an end elevation in cross-section of the curtain rail assembly of the first embodiment of the invention mounting a curtain; FIG.2 is a front elevation of the curtain rail assembly and curtain of FIGA; F1G.3 is a detail perspective view of one glider one the rail in the curtain rail assembly at FIGA without a curtain mounted on it; FIGSAA4C show in end view the stages of the glider being snapped on to the rail with curtain attaching arms omitted for clarity; FIG.5 is a detail perspective view of a glider in a second embodiment in which the arms are extendable; FIG.6 is a front elevation of a glider in a third embodiment; FIG.7 is a perspective view of a curtain rail assembly in a fourth a embodiment mounting a curtain; FIG.8 is a perspective view of a curtain rail and glider assembly in a f^ embodiment of the invention; FIG.9 is an end elevation of the assembly of FIG.8; FIG.10 is a perspective view of a curtain rail and glider assembly in a sixth embodiment; and, FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a curtain rail and glider assembly in a seventh embodiment.

The curtain rail assembly 10 of the first embodiment comprises a glider 12 mounted on a rail 14. The rail 14 is generally circular in cross- 0 section but includes two channels 16, 18, one at 11 o'clock and one at 8 o'clock looking from the left hand end of the rail 14. A bracket 20 for attaching the rail 14 to a wall can be connected to the rail 14 between the channels 16, 18.

The glider 12 is generally in the forin of a slit cylindrical tube 8, the slit or gap being defined between free ends 22 of the a der 12. The Oli free ends 22 subtend an angle of about 90 degrees at the notional axis of the tube 8. A projection 24 extends radially inwardly from each free end 22 of the tube 8 to be received in one of the channels 16, 18.

is 11 As shown in FIG.3, radially outwardly of the projection 24 are provided axially extending arms 26. Each arm 26 extends, from a bore defined in the tube 8, axially outwardly away from the tube 8 and then iL turns to extend radially away from the rail 14 over a short distance before returning to extend axially towards and alongside the rube 8 thus forming a J shape. The lower arms 28 are provided in the same manner at the lower free edge 22 of the tube 8.

In use, the rail 14 is mounted onto a wall by a plurality of brackets 20. Each upper tab or loop 30 of the curtain 32 is then connected to a glider 12. Tbe end of the loop 30 is looped on to one of the upper arms 26 and the other side of the loop 30 is then slid on to the opposite arm 26 so that the two thicknesses of the curtain loop 30 both lie across the cylindrical tube body 8 of the glider 12 one on top of the other. The inner layer is then passed around the tube 8 to the lower arms 28 and looped around those in the same way. The gap between the free ends 22 is thus left free. The curtain 32 can be mounted on the rail 14 by sliding the gliders 12 on to the rail 14 with the projections 24 being, received in the channels 16, 18. Alternatively, as shown in FIGSAA4C the glider tube 8 can be resilient in which case the glider 12 can be snapped on to the rail 14. As shown, the projections 24 come into contact with the rail 14 and 12 force the free ends 22 of the slit tube 8 apart until the projections 24 enter the channels 16, 18.

The gliders 12 may be extruded from suitable plastics material. The rail 14 may also be extruded from plastics material or alternatively may be made from any desired material to give the decorative effect required.

When viewing the curtain straight on, as shown in F10.2, the gap between the free ends 22 is entirely hidden from view. The gliders 12 are hidden from view behind the curtain loops 30 and, when looked at from the front, the loop rises up and around the top of the rail 14 mimicking the normal tab top curtain arrangement. Looking, at the curtain 32 head-on, you will only see the outer thickness 31 of the curtain loop 30. Where this lies over glider tube 8, as shown at A-A in fig 1, it is moulded by the tube 8 to a rounded shape mimicking, the round section rail 14. Viewing the curtains 32 at a angle, the inner thickness 33 of the curtain loop 30 is seen to approach the rear edge of the tail 14, as it would in a normal tab top curtain arrangement. Also, the main body of the curtain 32 bangs radially to the axis of the rail 14 in a realistic manner. The possible views of short and tall people are shown at X and Y respectively in fig 1.

13 Brackets 20 can be provided in as many positions as desired, because the gliders 12 can pass the connections to the brackets 20 owing to the gap defined between the free ends 22. The, rail 14 can be angled for example to go around a bay window and can be well supported by as many brackets 20 as desired.

It is therefore seen that a thoroughly realistic appearance is achieved by means of the curtain rail assembly 10 of the embodiment. The curtain 32 runs easily on the gliders 12 with none of the difficulties associated with the normal tab top curtain arrangement in which the curtain loops 30 tend to ruck on the poles and be-difficult to slide. The rail 14 can be attached to a wall without the curtain 32 which can be attached later so that putting up the curtains 32 is much easier. The rail 14 can be attached to the wall at any desired position along the rail 14 which itself can be bent to go around the corners giving much greater flexibility in positioning while retaining the traditional and attractive tab top curtain appearance.

FIG-5 shows a second embodiment in which each bore in the tube 8 radially outwardly of the projection 24 to receive the end of an arm 26, 28, is a through bore. The arms 26, 28 are U-shaped and the end of the 14 arm 26, 28 which is received in the bore can slide in the bore being. held frictionally. In this way, the arms 26, 28 can be moved axially outwardly to effectively increase the width of the glider 12 over a continuously adjustable range of widths to enable curtain loops 30 of different widths to be mounted on the glider 12.

FIG.6 shows an alternative embodiment which is also continuously adjusiable. In this case, the tube 8 consists of two mirror image parts 36. Each mirror image part 36 includes slots 38 extending inwardly from its facing edge 40 to define fingers 42. The fingers 42 of each part 36 interdigitate in a frictional manner to allow the two parts 36 to be arranged at different distances apart connected stably by the frictional engagement of the fingers 42.

FIG.7 shows an embodiment which is the same as the. embodiment of figure 3, but in this case a thicker edging 44 has been provided at each axial end of the tube 8 which is intended to lie outside the curtain loop 30 to provide a decorative effect The glider 60 of the embodiment of FIG.8 comprises a broken circular ring 62. The break in the ring 62 is defined between free ends 64 c of the ring 62. Projections 66 extend radially inwardly from the free ends 64 of the ring 62 in the form of peg gs provided at 8 o'clock and 11 o'clock looking at the ring 62 from the left-hand side. A hook 68 depends from the ring 62 at the 6 o'clock position.

is The ring 62 may be wooden or of metal such as brass to mimic the known complete circular ring.

In use, the glider 60 are slid onto the same rail 14 as in the previous =bodiments, the projection 66 being received in the channel 16, 18. The tail 14 is already attached to the wall in the left hand side. The gliders 60 do not have the resilience to snap over the rail 14. The curtain 70 is then attached to the hook 68 underneath the ring 62 in known manner as shown in FIG.9. The projections 66 are hidden by the rail 14, and, as mentioned previously, the channels 16, 18 in the rail 14 are outside the angle of view of a person looking at the rail 14 when it is attached to a walL The assembly thus effectively mimics the known complete ring assembly, but with the great advantage that the rail 14 can be attached to the wall at any and all desired positions and, as a result, can be angled around corners if desired for mounting, for example, in bay window.

16 FIG.10 shows a variant in which the ring is cast from metal and has a circular inner surface 72 and an outer surface with radial triangular spikes 74 for decorative effect.

FIG. 11 shows a further variant in which the glider 60 comprises two of the gliders 60 of the embodiment of FIG.8 connected by a decorative central section 76 which has generally spiral relief 76 for decoration.

17

Claims

Claims:-

1. A glider for a tab top curtain.

2. A glider for a tab top curtain, wherein a curtain loop can be attached to the glider when the glider is on the rail.

OC(C 10 3. A glider as claimed in claim 2, the glider defines a gap between two free C.

ends so that it does not surround the rail and the glider includes mounting means to mount a curtain loop such that the curtain loop does not bridge the gap between the free ends of the glider.

c 0 c c 4. A glider for a tab top curtain, wherein the glider defines a gap between two free ends of the glider and the glider includes mounting means to mount a curtain loop such that the curtain loop does not bridge the gap between the said free ends of the glider.

5. A glider as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 4 which is hidden by the attached loop.

6. A glider as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 4 comprising decorative axial ends to extend outside each end of the curtain loop.

7. A glider as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the shape of the surface of the glider on which the outer layer lies is the same as the shape of the rail underneath the surface of the glider.

18 8. A glider as claimed in claim 7 in which the surface of the glider on which the outer layer of the loop lies in the shape of part of a cylinder.

9. A glider as claimed in claim 7 or claim 8 in which the shape of the surface of the glider on which the inner layer of the curtain loop lies is the same as the shape of the rail underneath that surface of the glider.

10. A glider as claimed in any one of the preceding claims including means to attach a curtain loop adjacent each said free end of the glider.

11. A glider as claimed in claim 10 in which the curtain loop is attached over the maximum possible surface of the glider to best hide the fact that the 15 curtain loop does not in fact pass round the rail.

12. A glider as claimed in claim 11 in which the attaching means of the glider comprises at least one element around which the curtain loop can be looped to thereby attach the curtain loop to the glider.

13. A glider as claimed in claim 12 in which the loop can move with respect to the or each element so that the loop is readily adjusted to lie and hang correctly.

14. A glider as claimed in claim 13 in which the or each element comprises an arm.

15. A glider as claimed in claim 14 in which the arm extends axially of the glider.

19 16. A glider as claimed in claim 14 or 15 in which the or each arm extends from an axial end of the body of the glider and then returns, thereby assuming a U or J shape.

17. A glider as claimed in any one of claims 10 to 18 having means to attach a curtain loop at upper and lower positions which are out of sight of a person viewing the curtains in use.

1 11 L 1 1 1 1 0 c G 18. A glider as claimed in any one of claims 10 to 17 which includes means to attach a curtain loop at 11 o'clock and 8 o'clock about the rail.

19. A glider as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the 15 axial length of the glider is adjustable.

20. A glider as claimed in claim 19 in which the axial length is continuously adjustable.

21. A glider as claimed in claim 20 or 21 comprising at least two relatively axially movement parts which are in frictional engagement.

22. A glider as claimed in claim 22 when dependent from claim 14 and in which the or each arm is slidably received in the body of the glider.

23. A glider as claimed in any one of claims 21 to 23 in which the glider comprises two parts - with parallel interdigitating fingers in frictional engagement.

1 24. A glider as claimed in any one of the preceding claims arranged to be retained on a rail by surrounding more than half of the rail.

25. A glider as claimed in claim 25 in which the glider is resilient to being snapped over the rail.

26. A glider as claimed in claim 26 and 27 including at least one inwardly 10 directed projection to be received in a channel in the rail.

1.

27. A glider as claimed in claim 26 in which each projection is provided at 11 o'clock andlor provided at 8 o'clock about the rail.

28. A glider as claimed in claim 28 or 30 in which the or each projection provided adjacent a free end of the glider.

29. A glider as claimed in any one of claims 28 to 30 in which at least one projection is provided adjacent to each said free end of the glider.

30. A glider comprising a broken ring, the ring being round, generally round or in the form of regular polygon, the glider including means to attach a curtain thereto.

31. A glider as claimed in claim 31 in which the attaching means comprises a depending hook or eye loop.

21 32. A glider as claimed in claim 32 or 33 which includes at least one radially inwardly extending projection to engage in a corresponding channel 5 in the rail.

33. A glider as claimed in any one of claims 32 to 34 in which the break in the ring is defined between free ends of the ring and the or a radially inwards projection is preferably provided adjacent the upper free end.

34. A glider as claimed in claim 35 in which a radially inwards projection provided adjacent the lower free ends.

is 35. A curtain rail assembly comprising a plurality of gliders according to 15 any previous aspect of the invention and a rail.

36. A curtain rail assembly as claimed in claim 36 in which the gliders include at least one projection and the rail includes a corresponding channel.

37. A curtain rail assembly in which the rail includes at least one channel to receive a projection on a glider, the or each channel being arranged to be out of sight of a person viewing the curtains in use.

38. A curtain rail assembly as claimed in claim 38 or 39 in which the or 25 each channel is provided at 11 o'clock andlor 8 o'clock about the rail.

39. A curtain rail assembly comprising at least one channel outside the field of view of a person when the rail is mounted in use.

22 40. A curtain rail assembly as claimed in claim 40 in which the or each channel is between 8 o'clock and 12 o'clock positions looking at one end of 5 the rail.

41. A curtain rail assembly as claimed in claim 41 in which the or one channel is provided at 11 o'clock and alternatively or additionally provided at the 8 o'clock position.

42. A glider or curtain rail assembly substantially as herein described with reference to the FIGURES of the accompanying drawings.