TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to drapery hardware, particularly improvements in the hanging of curtains hung on a pole threaded through a series of eyelets.

BACKGROUND ART

There are many methods for hanging curtains on a pole or track. One such method, with a particularly distinctive style, is to form holes at an upper edge of the curtain, usually with a series of metallic rings which provide eyelets through which a pole can be threaded.

A problem with these existing curtain eyelet designs is that the curtains do not necessarily pleat uniformly or smoothly on the pole. Friction between the metal ring and the curtain pole can inhibit drawing of the curtains which is often performed by a user at a much lower level than the curtains are actually hung, i.e. ground level compared to adjacent a ceiling where the pole is situated. This can result in frustration at tugging the curtains to an open or closed drawn position.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The present invention seeks to overcome problems in the prior art by generally improving "drawability" of a curtain, i.e. to make the action as smooth as possible. In one broad aspect of the invention there is provided a slider adapted for sliding movement in a track of a curtain pole capable of supporting an eyelet or ring of a curtain and maintaining the eyelet or ring at a distance from the pole.

In this way any friction between the material of the eyelet/ring against the curtain pole is avoided because the slider prevents direct contact. The term "at a distance" can be interpreted as any position where the substantive ring or eyelet is kept generally out of contact with the substantive pole, i.e. there is a space preventing substantive contact, except via the slider.

The slider preferably includes an attachment element for attachment to an eyelet of a curtain.

In a preferred form the attachment element is a cradle, clip or other suitable means to releasably connect with a curtain eyelet. The slider may further include a collar for contact with the surface of the track.

In a modification of the invention the slider is integrally formed with the eyelet to be incorporated into the curtain.

Preferably the slider is in the form of or is able to slide by virtue of a peg extending normal to the eyelet which is adapted for sliding movement in the track. The peg can extend from the collar.

Preferably the slider includes a flange, extension or carriage which prevents withdrawal of the peg from the track. The flanges may extend from opposing sides such that the slider can be inserted into the track in one orientation and then twisted to prevent withdrawal in a second, offset, orientation. In one form the flanges extend in the opposite plane to the U-shaped cradle.

In an alternate form the peg is of sufficient length to be held in place in the track by the dimensions of the eyelet. In other words, the eyelet surrounds the pole with a greater diameter than the pole and the peg extends into the track to a distance that is approximately the same or greater than the difference between the respective eyelet and pole diameters. In this form it is likely that the sliders will be threaded onto the track whereas, in the form where extensions are provided, sliders can be added to the track in situ.

Preferably the slider includes a receiving means (e.g. notch or clip) for a bead cord that operates as a spacing means between eyelets, i.e. to set a maximum extension between the pleats of a curtain.

The slider of the invention can be utilised with eyelets formed within a curtain or, alternatively, curtain rings from which the curtain hangs. Either arrangement can have problems with drawability which the invention seeks to overcome .

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Figure 1 is an overview of a curtain pole incorporating a slider according to the in invention; Figure 2 is the same view as in Figure 1, with a curtain included;

Figures 3a to 3c are pictorial views of a pair of sliders and a bead cord respectively; and Figures 4a and 4b illustrate further forms of the slider according to the invention.

MODE(S) FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Referring to Figure 1 the present invention, in use, involves a plurality of sliders 10 adapted for sliding along a track 11 of an extruded curtain pole 12. In the illustrations, pole 12 includes a further longitudinal channel/track 13 that may receive a fixing means for fixing the pole 12 to a wall or window frame. One way of hanging the curtain includes a single attachment point at the centre of the elongate pole 12 or, in another more common form, a support attachment is provided at each end of the pole 12 with the curtains threaded on the pole therebetween (not illustrated) .

Track 11 preferably includes opposing ridges or shelves 14 that divide upper 15 and lower 16 cavities with a through- channel 17 communicating therebetween.

Features of a first slider 10a are best shown by Figure 3a wherein a U-shaped cradle 18 extends from a collar 19 and elongate peg or stem 20. Stem 20 is dimensioned to fit within track 11 and channel 17, whereas collar 19 abuts track 11, ensuring that cradle 18 remains outside pole 12 and slidable along the surface thereof. At the base of stem 20 is a carriage element 21 that includes perpendicularly extending protrusions 22 which maintain the carriage 21 in a sliding engagement within lower cavity 16. In practice this first slider 10a may be at a distal end of the curtain section and connected to an automatic drawing mechanism or the like. In any event it provides a stable sliding platform for the U-shaped cradle 18 moving along the outside surface of pole 12.

A second slider 10b shown in Figure 3b is a more simple form of sliding element wherein the base of peg/stem 20 includes perpendicular flanges or protrusions 23 that prevent the unit from vertical removal for upper cavity 15 by virtue of the narrower opening of track 11. In the same way as first slider 10a, a collar 19 provides a platform for the U-shaped cradle 18 to move along the outside surface of pole 12. By virtue of the dimensions of stem 20, the slider 10b has some freedom to twist as it slides along track 11. Therefore, if flanges 23 extend in opposite directions as illustrated then the slider can be inserted/removed from the track in one orientation and prevented from withdrawal in another orientation.

Each slider 10a and 10b optionally includes a receiving means in the form of a notch 24 to, in use, receive a bead cord 25 of the type illustrated by Figure 3c.

As is known in the art, a bead cord 25 is often used to provide a spacing function for pleats on a curtain (or sometimes as a drawstring) . In the present invention bead cord 25 is hidden within pole 12 in use and, particularly, upper cavity 15. As such it provides a spacing function but is otherwise invisible to a user when installed.

Figure 2 illustrates the invention in use. It can be seen that U-shaped cradles 18 provide a holding function for the metal rings M that form an eyelet E at the upper edge of a curtain C. It will be apparent that cradles 18 could alternatively be in the form of a clip, clasp or other suitable device for removably attaching an eyelet of a curtain. In a further alternative form, the cradle 18, collar 19 and peg 20 could be formed integrally with a ring M (which may be moulded from plastics) .

The advantage of the invention is clear from Figure 2, namely that cradle 18 acts to space ring M from the surface of pole 12 which enables it to slide more readily over the surface. This can be further improved by moulding sliders 10a and 10b from low friction materials like nylon or polypropylene. It should be sufficient for cradles 18 to simply hold the pleats P of a curtain C in place by gravity, but it is also possible for it to have more positive gripping or clasping function by virtue of narrower dimensions and/or suitable barbs or retaining features.

In a further embodiment illustrated by Figure 4a the peg 20 may be formed of sufficient length to be held in place in the track by the dimensions of the eyelet ring M. In such a form it is not mandatory to include flanges or carriages at the base end. In all versions of the invention the eyelet surrounds the pole 12 with a greater diameter than the pole; in this further embodiment the peg 20 extends into the track 11 to a distance that is approximately the same or greater than the difference between the respective inner eyelet ring M and pole 12 diameters. In this way the peg 20 is prevented from removal from the track by the lower surface L of the closed curtain eyelet and the surface of the pole 12.

Figure 4b illustrates a slider of the invention 10 incorporated with a curtain ring R that supports a hanging curtain C. Operation of the slider 10 is otherwise the same in that collar 19 provides a smoother sliding surface along the track 11 than the material of ring R.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The curtain pole 12 and sliders 10 can be sold separately or as a set ready for installation. As mentioned, the process of drawing the curtain can be automated by motorising the movement of carriage 21 as is generally known in the art. Furthermore, the use of a bead cord 25 or equivalent mechanism provides for a consistent pleat appearance when the curtain is drawn closed over a window or door frame.