Drapery Supports Patents (Class 16/96D)
  • Patent number: 5970578
    Abstract: An apparatus for supporting one or more theatrical panels and, in a more specific aspect, a carriage assembly adapted for such task in association with a horizontal track having an upper guide surface and a lower guide surface, provide horizontal movement quietly, smoothly, with low frictional resistance and in a highly-linear fashion with low rock and sway. A horizontal track comprising an upper guide surface and a lower guide surface supports a carriage assembly having a plurality of upper guide wheels and a plurality of lower guide wheels. The upper guide wheels are supported in rolling contact with the upper guide surface and the lower guide wheels are supported in rolling contact with the lower guide surface. The axles supporting the upper guide wheels are preferably horizontally offset from vertical lines extending through any of the axles supporting the lower guide wheels. The guide wheels are preferably resilient at least at the surface and grooved to engage the guide surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Assignee: Show Motion, Inc.
    Inventors: William M. Mensching, Tien Tsung Ma
  • Patent number: 5791394
    Abstract: An improved adjustable window blind rail having a rail, two end fitting members, two guide members, a plurality of slide members, a pull cord, and two adjusting members. The guide members and the slide members are received in the rail such that they can slide in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the rail. The pull cord is wound on the two end fitting members engaged to the outer ends of the two adjusting members and is received in the rail such that the pull cord is connected with the two guide members. The two adjusting members are mounted at both ends of the rail such that they are capable of moving in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the rail for adjusting the length formed by the rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1998
    Inventor: Fang-Mei Huang
  • Patent number: 5560417
    Abstract: A two-piece drapery traverse rod master carrier comprising a carrier body having rod guides for supporting the carrier body for movement along a traverse rod, and a drapery support arm having lead and trail ends and a mounting stem extending laterally from one side of the support arm at a location intermediate the lead and trail ends of the arm. The carrier body has an arm guide supporting the mounting stem for horizontal movement in a direction perpendicular to the path of movement of the carrier body when the lead end of the drapery support arm extends from the arm guide to adjust the lateral position of the support arm relative to the slide body. The drapery support arm can be positioned on the carrier body with the lead end extending in either of two opposed directions generally parallel to the path of movement of the carrier body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1996
    Assignee: Springs Window Fashions Division, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles F. Smiley
  • Patent number: 5542149
    Abstract: The vertical and horizontal movements of a wheeled carriage mounted for movement along a rail having a pair of inwardly directed lateral rails terminating in a pair of upwardly extending inner edges are limited by providing a first plurality of rollers engaging the bottom surfaces of the transverse rails and a second plurality of rollers positioned for rolling engagement against the inner edges. The axes of rotation of the first rollers are orthogonal to the axes of rotation of the second rollers, and the diameter of each second roller is greater than the width of the carriage portion disposed between the inner edges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1996
    Inventor: Ching-Jung Yu
  • Patent number: 4999874
    Abstract: A drapery rod assembly includes a telescopically adjustable relatively narrow rod of a height greater than heretofore conventional drapery rods and formed in an exaggerated C-shape with a vertical body member having inturned flanges on its upper and lower longitudinal edges. End caps are provided for registry over the ends of the telescopic rod sections and are apertured so that the drapery rod may be mounted on supporting brackets. A longitudinally split tubular member has oppositely disposed outturned angular flanges along the split therein engageable in the inturned flanges of the drapery rod so as to form an enlarged outwardly bowed shape. A foam filler is positioned in sections of the longitudinally split shape to hold the same in engagement with the drapery rod flanges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 19, 1991
    Inventor: Gerald N. White
  • Patent number: 4833756
    Abstract: A bendable drapery rod assembly comprising an elongated plastic rod member formed of flexible plastic and defining a trackway for drapery carriers, an elongated metal rod member, and provision for laterally retaining the plastic rod member and metal rod member together along their length to provide a combination plastic and metal rod unit. The metal rod member has a cross section with a major crosswise dimension and a relatively smaller minor crosswise dimension disposed transverse to the major crosswise dimension, and the rod unit is bendable in a direction laterally of the minor crosswise dimension of the metal rod member into a curved condition. The metal rod member is ductile and adapted to take a permanent set to hold the rod unit in a curved condition, and the major crosswise dimension of the metal rod member is substantially greater than the minor crosswise dimension to stiffen the rod unit against bending in a direction laterally of the major crosswise dimension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 30, 1989
    Assignee: Graber Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark J. Terlecke, John S. Reback
  • Patent number: 4791703
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a length adjustable center rod structure for a vertical shutter drape. The center rod is located in the inner side of an over-head track, and has two or more sections of telescoped hollow tubes so that the length thereof can be easily adjusted for length variations of the over-head track. The positioning of each hollow tube for the telescoping, is guided by a respective quasi-U-shaped, latitudinal, and straight trough provided on the tube wall. Each trough is also utilized for the reception of a downwardly protruding quasi-U-shaped tongue located on the sleeve axle inner surface sliding elements. When the center rod is rotated, it drives every shutter blade axle of the sliding elements to rotate via their respective sleeve axles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1987
    Date of Patent: December 20, 1988
    Inventor: A-Shen Chang
  • Patent number: 4765022
    Abstract: A combination stop plug and open frame member for installation in the channel of a drapery track. The plug and frame parts are integrally formed. The plug part is sized and configured to be installed by sliding through an open end of the channel and immobilized in the channel by means of an accessible fastener, such as a set screw. The frame part is located exterior of the channel for accomodating therethrough a drapery fastener holder of a drapery carrier member slidable in the channel. However, the frame part prevents movement of the carrier member by engaging the fastener holder part extending therethrough. The device of the invention can be installed to close the open end of the channel with the fastener holder part located to hold a portion of the drapery panel overlying the open end of the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 23, 1988
    Assignee: Coral Industrial Sales Co.
    Inventors: Burton L. Siegal, John T. Magdars
  • Patent number: 4720136
    Abstract: There is disclosed a curtain-hanging track adapted to be mounted in a recreational vehicle having a flat, elongate rail fastened to an interior side wall thereof along and adjacent to the bottom of a window and a support member for said track which is fastened to the outer side end of the rail and disposed between it and the inner side wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1988
    Assignee: Trans-Aire International, Inc.
    Inventor: Bob J. Higgins
  • Patent number: 4581788
    Abstract: The curtain rod acts as shield concealing the runners and the upper edge of the curtain. The runners are guided by edges of slots in the inner and outer rod sections by means of grooves. The grooves receive the slot edges of the inner as well as outer rod section of the telescoping curtain rod only at the area of transition between inner and outer rod section. The runners glide back and forth between the outer rod section and the inner rod section without impinging at any place. This is due to the design according to which mentioned edges of the slots cooperate exclusively with only one each of two grooves present in the runners, each groove alocated to one respective guiding edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1983
    Date of Patent: April 15, 1986
    Assignee: Spirella AG
    Inventor: Heinz Baumann
  • Patent number: 4402109
    Abstract: A traverse rod and pulley housing assembly in which the pulley housings are dimensioned for insertion into the rod from the ends thereof and have a lower portion dimensioned to pass downwardly through a rod opening in the lower face wall of the rod. One set of ribs is provided on the pulley housing for laterally and vertically positioning the pulley housing in the inner rod member and a second set of ribs is provided in the pulley housing for laterally and vertically positioning the pulley housing in the outer rod member. Dual slide gates are provided, one on each side of the pulley housing, for controlling movement of the slides along the inner and outer rod members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1981
    Date of Patent: September 6, 1983
    Assignee: Graber Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Thor Ohman, Mark J. Terlecke
  • Patent number: 4306332
    Abstract: An apparatus for suspending a traverse curtain on a common track assembly. The track assembly has opposed generally horizontally extending flanges. Mounted on the track is a carriage having spaced apart rollers, each of the rollers rotating about a respective and substantially vertical axis of rotation. A separate one of the rollers engages each flange for moving the carriage along the track. The rollers rotate in a plane parallel to the plane defined by the flanges. The rollers are located for preventing jamming of the carriage at curved portions of the track. Curtain supports are attached to the carriage for supporting a respective portion of the curtain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1980
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1981
    Inventor: Logan E. Simmons
  • Patent number: 4221020
    Abstract: A lazy-tongs device is formed of length-adjustably snap-connected colorless transparent or translucent plastic elements sufficiently small so as not to interfere with the folding of the drapes and so as to be substantially concealed behind the traverse rod when the controlled drapes are fully unfolded. In one disclosed species, large plastic trim rings also substantially conceal the low-visibility lazy-tong elements when the drapes are folded. In a second species the drapery supports hold the top of the drapes close to the traverse rod for substantial concealment of the lazy-tongs when fully closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1979
    Date of Patent: September 9, 1980
    Inventor: Joseph R. Wertepny
  • Patent number: 4217676
    Abstract: This combination, consists primarily of cylindrical tubes that are inserted into drapery pleats, so as to retain the pleat shape indefinitely, and the drapery hanger device is of such structure that it will eliminate under-rod swing of drapery hooks. The structure of the tubes is of a material that will be non-collapsible, and are removable, in order that draperies may be cleaned. The drapery hanger device of the combination is of such structure, that it will project the bottom of the pleat outwards and is adjustable to the degree needed, depending on the weight of the drapery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1979
    Date of Patent: August 19, 1980
    Inventor: Thelma L. Terrones
  • Patent number: 4202074
    Abstract: A curtain suspension device comprising a curtain board having a horizontal hole at each end for fastening upon a pair of stem brackets, each of which comprising a wall plate having peripheral holes for fastening to a wall by means of screws, and a central threaded hole receiving a correspondingly threaded stem extending at right angles to the wall surface to receive the curtain board at its outer end, and a spring clip adapted to clamp one upper corner of a curtain against the wall. The wall plate of said stem bracket is provided, diametrically opposite to a peripheral hole therein, with a slot in the form of an arc of a circle the center of which coincides with the center of said hole, and the wall plates of said two stem brackets are mounted or adapted to be mounted in a manner such that the symmetry axis through the peripheral hole, the center hole and the slot of said two wall plates intersect at an angle of 90.degree.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1978
    Date of Patent: May 13, 1980
    Inventor: Goran J. F. Hard Af Segerstad
  • Patent number: 4190927
    Abstract: A curtain rod track fitting and curtain rings for use therewith, the curtain rings being slideable on the curtain rod and being provided with a slide or roll device trued to the middle of the ring and supported on the rod in such a manner that the plane of the ring runs normally substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the curtain rod, and the rings are reciprocally movable around a horizontal axis running transverse to the curtain rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1978
    Date of Patent: March 4, 1980
    Inventor: Erwin Hepperle
  • Patent number: 4166306
    Abstract: A curtain rod assembly manufactured primarily from extruded aluminum components, the curtain rod defining an elongated cruciform groove in its upper portion to receive therein a like shaped support part, a horizontal flange being provided at the rod's lower portion to receive wheeled curtain carriers, the rod being symmetrical about a vertical plane. In a modification of the rod, instead of a vertically elongated cruciform groove, a vertical plate-liked portion is provided wherein such upper vertical portion is fastened through horizontal bolts to an overhead support, a flange on the lower aspect with a horizontal cross piece defining tracks for the wheeled curtain carriers as in the first modification, this second modification also being symmetrical about a vertical plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 1977
    Date of Patent: September 4, 1979
    Inventor: Richard W. Janson
  • Patent number: 4152809
    Abstract: A traverse rod for drapes has its pleat hangers attached to elements (e.g. the spaced pivot pins) of a lazy-tong mechanism, whereby the pleats are always evenly spaced regardless of the degree of opening or closing of the drapes. The lazy-tong mechanism (1) can be housed in a rectangular guide box mounted with its longer transverse dimension either vertical or horizontal, or (2) can be attached to hangers carried and guided by a C-shaped channel bar so as to lie behind the drapes carried by the channel bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1977
    Date of Patent: May 8, 1979
    Inventor: Joseph R. Wertepny
  • Patent number: 4141105
    Abstract: A carrier ring is provided for use with the type of drapery rod having a longitudinal compartment therethrough, which ring can be easily drawn with only rolling friction even when used to hang a heavy drape. The ring has a pair of wheels able to roll along the bottom of the longitudinal compartment of the drapery rod which wheels have an axis of rotation passing through a web integral with the ring, which axis is offset longitudinally with respect to the median transverse plane of the ring. The front part of the web is sloped and the rear part is bevelled so that the bevelled part of one ring will force the sloped part of the other to rotate about the wheels when the drape is being opened. This construction permits the top of the ring to come out of contact with the rod both as the drape is being opened and as it is being closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1978
    Date of Patent: February 27, 1979
    Inventor: Jean A. P. Gonon
  • Patent number: 4134177
    Abstract: A framework in a counterweight assembly for carrying weight which counterbalances the weight of stage curtains and the like, the framework having upper and lower identical extruded bars, each including a cylindrical portion on one longitudinal edge and a bifurcated portion on the opposite longitudinal edge provided with outwardly extending flanges, the bifurcated portion defining a continuous groove. The groove faces inwardly and the cylindrical portion faces outwardly with the upper and lower bars being connected by a pair of side rods, also extruded aluminum, each side rod including a tongue along a longitudinal edge adapted to be received by the aforesaid groove and a guide being provided on the opposite longitudinal edge, such guide being received in a vertical guide beam for guiding the framework in its vertical movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1977
    Date of Patent: January 16, 1979
    Inventor: Richard W. Janson
  • Patent number: 4124918
    Abstract: A one-piece, rail glide system which includes a rail glide which can be assembled from the end or the side of a rail or other support structure with equal ease, said glide being resistent to disassembly from the rail throughout a wide arc of applied loosening forces, and being adaptible to low cost, mass production techniques, including extrusion forming.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1977
    Date of Patent: November 14, 1978
    Assignee: Newell Companies, Inc.
    Inventor: David G. Cummings
  • Patent number: 4120474
    Abstract: A drapery support assembly comprises a bracket adapted to support a drapery rod and slide means to adjustably support the bracket with respect to a wall or the like. The bracket is adapted to support a drapery rod in a first position for supporting a decorative over drapery which would then be the only drapery supported by the bracket. Alternatively, the bracket may mount mechanism in a second position to support a so-called glass curtain or sheer and is adapted to then mount a second bracket or extension means for then supporting the decorative cover drapery adjacent the glass curtain or sheer. Further disclosed in the present application are means to strengthen or rigidify drapery mounting members, adjust the same and, in modifications, diverse drapery mounting components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1976
    Date of Patent: October 17, 1978
    Assignee: Hurley's Concepts, Inc.
    Inventor: Glen A. Hurley
  • Patent number: 4099599
    Abstract: An elevator system including an elevator car, an elevator door, and a door operator for operating the door to open and close an entranceway to the car. The door has integral hanger brackets which are fastened to a hanger plate associated with the door operator. The door may be easily mounted, oriented and aligned in the field by a fastening arrangement and method which includes clamping bolts and jacking bolts. The clamping bolts are adjusted to initially support the weight of the door. Jacking bolts are then coupled between the hanger bracket and hanger plate, and the jacking bolts are actuated to align the door and set the sill gap. The clamping bolts are then tightened to maintain the selected alignment and sill gap. The clamping bolts, jacking bolts and the frictional area contact between the clamped surfaces all co-operate to support the weight of the door, and the clamped surfaces additionally function to add structural stiffness to the door and its support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1977
    Date of Patent: July 11, 1978
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.
    Inventor: Charles E. Randall
  • Patent number: 4047262
    Abstract: Device for eliminating a clearance at the center where a pair of curtains of the center draw type are overlapped. The device can be interposed between two straight curtain rods aligned end-to-end to detachably interconnect the curtain rods and comprises two connecting rails joined together side by side. Each of the rails includes a straight end portion to be connected to the corresponding curtain rod, a bent portion continuous with the straight end portion, and an extension continuously extending from the end of the bent portion deviated sidewise by a distance equal to the width of the rail so as to position in parallel to the straight end portion. The curtains on the opposite curtain rods are movable toward each other along the connecting rails to overlap each other at the bent portions and extensions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1975
    Date of Patent: September 13, 1977
    Inventor: Takeshi Izawa
  • Patent number: 4023235
    Abstract: For the purpose of supporting drapery tracks, Venetian blinds, or the like, there is provided an elongated channel having opposed side walls interconnected by a transverse wall which when the channel is in an operative position forms a top wall from which the opposed side walls extend downwardly. The channel has in its operative position an open bottom. A number of ribs extend inwardly from the inner surfaces of each of the side walls, these ribs serving to support items such as a drapery track, when the latter is situated within the channel, blind locks on which part of a Venetian blind with horizontal slats may be supported, or blind locks for determining the location of part of a Venetian blind which has vertical slats situated beneath the channel. Thus, the same channel may be used in connection with supporting different types of articles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1976
    Date of Patent: May 17, 1977
    Assignee: Master Recessed Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Seymour Cohen, Norman Klar, David Schwartz
  • Patent number: 3975792
    Abstract: An assembly comprising a rod and parts for supporting drapery and the like, the rod having two identical tracks which extend longitudinally and receive movable hangers. The rod, composed of extruded aluminum, has the same cross-section throughout. The tracks are of rectangular cross section with a continuous slot along a bottom side, such side having a shorter width than the height of the vertical sidewalls of each track. A horizontal bar connects the tracks about midway on the adjacent sidewalls of the track, the bar having substantially the same width as each track. The bar is provided on its top and bottom with grooves of a V-configuration in cross-section, the grooves extending longitudinally and being centered relative to the width of the bar and providing for the centering of a drill bit for forming an opening for receiving fastening members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 1974
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1976
    Inventor: Richard W. Janson