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Patent Searching and Data


Title:
IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO FABRIC SUPPORT
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/1995/034235
Kind Code:
A1
Abstract:
A plastic's rail (10) can occupy a substantially planar configuration in which upwardly and downwardly extending webs (28) extend in the same plane as an intermediate portion (34). In that planar configuration the rail (10) can be rolled up into a coil for ease of storage and transportation. The rail can be unwound and the webs (28) bent over to increase the strength and rigidity of the rail and to enable the rail to provide support for a fabric tunnel top (12).

Inventors:
SEDDON IVOR HENRY (GB)
Application Number:
PCT/GB1995/001244
Publication Date:
December 21, 1995
Filing Date:
May 30, 1995
Export Citation:
Click for automatic bibliography generation   Help
Assignee:
SEDDON IVOR HENRY (GB)
International Classes:
A47H1/00; A47H1/02; (IPC1-7): A47H1/02
Foreign References:
US1375805A1921-04-26
US2703179A1955-03-01
US2080270A1937-05-11
US5024338A1991-06-18
Download PDF:
Claims:
CLAIMS
1. A support for fabric comprising an elongate portion having a first configuration in which the elongate portion is arranged to be bent and a second configuration in which, in use, the elongate portion is arranged to provide support for fabric in which, in the second configuration, resistance to bending is increased.
2. A support as claimed in claim 1 in which the elongate portion is arranged to be bent in the first configuration by being folded or rolled.
3. A support as claimed in any preceding claim in which the elongate portion comprises a strip.
4. A support as claimed in claim 3 in which the elongate portion comprises an integrally formed strip.
5. A support as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the elongate portion is arranged to be folded about a longitudinal line when moving from the first to the second configuration.
6. A support as claimed in claim 5 including a fold about a weakened line.
7. A support as claimed in claim 6 in which the weakened line is arranged to be formed during manufacture of the elongate portion.
8. A support as claimed in claim 6 or 7 in which the weakened line is arranged to be formed after manufacture.
9. A support as claimed in claim 8 in which the weakened line is arranged to be formed by scoring the elongate portion.
10. A support as .claimed in any preceding claim in which, in the second configuration, the width of the elongate portion is greater than the width in the first configuration.
11. A support as claimed in any preceding claim in which the amount of material in the direction of the width of the elongate portion is arranged to be increased in the second configuration.
12. A support as claimed in claim 10 or 11 in which, in the second configuration, a wall is arranged to extend in the direction of the width of the elongate portion.
13. A support as claimed in any preceding in which the elongate portion is arranged to directly support a fabric.
14. A support as claimed in any of claims 1 to 12 in which the elongate portion is arranged to indirectly support a fabric.
15. A support as claimed in claim 14 in which the indirect support for the fabric is arranged to be provided by connecting members extending from the elongate portion to a fabric.
16. A support as claimed in any one of claims 13 to 15 in which the fabric or the connectors are arranged to cooperate with the elongate portion to assist in maintaining the elongate portion in a second configuration.
17. A support as claimed in claim 16 in which the assistance in maintaining the elongate portion in the second configuration is assistance in maintaining a fold.
18. A support as claimed in claim 16 or 17 in which the assistance in maintaining the elongate portion in the second configuration is provided by biassing a fold to the required position.
19. A support as claimed in any preceding claim in which the elongate portion includes portions that are arranged to cooperate with each other to assist in maintaining the elongate portion in the second configuration.
20. A support as claimed in claim 19 in which the elongate portion is flexed in order to enable the portions to cooperate with each other in the second configuration.
21. A support as claimed in claim 19 or 20 in which the flexure is arranged to occur by flexing the top or bottom of the strip away from an intermediate portion.
22. A support as claimed in any preceding claim in which the elongate portion is arranged to be held at least partially in the second configuration by supports.
23. A support as claimed in claim 22 in which the supports are arranged to be fastened to a surface with the supports being arranged to cooperate with the elongate portion in the second configuration to inhibit movement of the elongate portion away from the second configuration.
24. A support as claimed in any preceding claim in which the elongate portion is arranged to be held at least partially in the second configuration by connecting members cooperating with the elongate portion to inhibit movement of the elongate portion away from the second configuration.
25. A support as claimed in any preceding claim in which the elongate portion is arranged to be rolled up for at least one turn when in the storage position.
26. An arrangement as claimed in any preceding claim in which the resistance to bending in the second configuration is increased by at least two times.
27. A support as claimed in claim 3 or any of claims 1 to26 when dependent upon claim 3 in which the resistance to twisting in the second configuration is increased by at least two times.
28. A support as claimed in any of claims 1 to 22 when the elongate portion supports a fabric.
29. A support for fabric as claimed in any of claims l to27 in which the elongate portion is mounted in a position to support a fabric.
30. A method of using a fabric support comprising moving an elongate portion from a bent first configuration such that the elongate portion extends in an elongate direction to a second configuration in which the resistance to bending is increased and the support is able to provide support for a fabric.
31. A method as claimed in claim 30 comprising altering the elongate portion after it has been moved from the first configuration to the second configuration.
32. A method as claimed in claim 30 or 31 comprising unfolding the elongate portion when the elongate portion is moved from the first to the second configuration.
33. A method as claimed in any of claims 30 to 32 comprising unrolling the elongate portion when the elongate portion is being moved from the first configuration.
34. A fabric support arrangement including an elongate portion moveable about at least one elongate fold and a support for the elongate portion, the support and the elongate portion being arranged to cooperate with each other to oppose movement of the elongate portion about the fold.
35. A method of altering a fabric support arrangement comprising altering the configuration of an elongate portion about at least one elongate fold and connecting the elongate portion to a support such that the support and the elongate portion cooperate with each other to oppose movement of the elongate portion about the fold.
36. An elongate support for a fabric, the support including a weakened portion on the elongate support, the weakened portion being arranged, in use, to permit that portion to bend about the longitudinal extent more readily than other parts of the elongate support.
37. An elongate support as claimed in claim 36 in which the weakened portion extends part of the way along the elongate extent.
38. An elongate support as claimed in either of claims 36 or 37, in which the weakened portion comprises a row of cuts extending transverse to the longitudinal extent.
39. A method of adapting an elongate support for a fabric comprising weakening the support to permit the support to bend about the longitudinal extent more readily than at other parts of the elongate support.
40. A method as claimed in claim 39 comprising cutting the support along the elongate extent of the support.
41. A method as claimed in either of claims 39 or 40 comprising forming a weakened line extending across the support.
42. A method as claimed in any of claims 37 to 41 comprising controlling the cuts to alter the extent of the weakened portion.
43. A method as claimed in any of claims 39 to 42 comprising controlling the cuts to alter the amount that the portion is weakened.
44. A mounting for a fabric support including a pair of members connected together about a location between their ends with one end of each member being arranged to be secured to a supporting surface and the other end of each member being arranged to support a fabric support whereby adjustment about the connection of the members is arranged to alter the distance between the supporting surface and a fabric support.
45. A method of altering the distance between a supporting surface and a fabric support comprising 27 altering the distance between one end of a pair of members that are connected together vhereby the other end of the pair of members are brought nearer to or moved further from the supporting surface.
46. A mounting arrangement for the end of a fabric support including a first member arranged to be mounted on a supporting surface with the first member extending between parts of a fabric support and a second member arranged to be located to clamp the parts of the fabric support against the first member.
47. A mounting arrangement as claimed in claim 46 in which the first and second members are arranged to be a friction fit with each other.
48. A mounting arrangement as claimed in either of claims 46 or 47, in which the second member is formed so as to at least partially surround a portion of the first member and the fabric support.
49. A mounting arrangement as claimed in any of claims 46 to 48 in which the second member is provided with means for securing the second member to the first member.
50. A method of mounting an end of a fabric support including locating a first member between parts of the fabric support and clamping parts of the fabric support against the first member with a second member.
51. A support arrangement for fabric or blinds comprising a first part that it is arranged, in use, to be connected to a support and a second part extending from the first part, the second part being arranged, in use, to provide support for a fabric or blind at a location spaced from 33 the first part, the angle of the second part relative to the first part being adjustable whereby, in use, the distance that a fabric or blind is supported by the second part from a support to which the arrangement is connected is adjustable.
52. A support arrangement as claimed in claim 51 in which the first and second parts are arranged to cooperate with each other at a particular relative angular orientation.
53. A support arrangement as claimed in claim 52 in which the first and second parts are arranged to directly cooperate with each other at a particular relative angular orientation.
54. A support arrangement as claimed in either of claims 51 to 52 in which, at a particular relative angular orientation of the first and second parts, relative angular adjustment is arranged to be inhibited.
55. A support arrangement as claimed in any of claims 51 to 54 in which the first and second parts are arranged to cooperate with each other to inhibit relative angular adjustment.
56. A support arrangement as claimed in claim 55 in which the first and second parts are arranged to cooperate with each other to inhibit relative angular adjustment by directly cooperating with each other.
57. A support arrangement as claimed in claim 55 or 56 in which the first and second parts include cooperating portions arranged to cooperate with each other in one of a plurality of alternative configurations to inhibit their relative angular adjustment.
58. A support arrangement as claimed in any of claims 55 to 57, in which one of the first and second parts includes a socket and the other of those parts includes a spigot.
59. A support arrangement as claimed in claim 58 in which the spigot and the socket are arranged to be brought into cooperation with each other in one of a plurality of alternative relative angular positions.
60. A support arrangement as claimed in either of claims 58 or 59 in which the spigot and socket are multi faceted.
61. A support arrangement as claimed in any of claims 51 to 60 in which the second part includes a connector arranged, in use, to provide support for a fabric or blind.
62. A support arrangement as claimed in claim 61 in which the connector is pivotally mounted on the second part.
63. A support arrangement as claimed in either of claims 61 or 62 in which the connector is detachable from the second part.
64. A support arrangement as claimed in any of claims 61 to 63 in which the connector is a snap fit on the second part.
65. A support arrangement as claimed in claim 63 or 64 in which the connector is selected from one of a plurality of alternative connectors.
66. A support arrangement as claimed in any of claims 51 to 65 arranged, in use, to provide two supports for fabrics or blinds spaced from each other.
67. A support arrangement as claimed in claim 66 in which the other support for a fabric or blind is arranged to be provided by the first part.
68. A method of providing a support for a fabric or blind comprising mounting a first part on a support and selecting one of a plurality of alternative angular orientations of a second part relative to the first part and supporting a fabric or blind on the second part.
69. A method of providing support as claimed in claim 68 when using a support arrangement as claimed in any of claims 51 to 67.
70. A support arrangement for fabric or blinds in which, in use, a portion is arranged to be connected to a support and two portions are arranged to provide support for fabric or blinds, the two portions being arranged, in use, to be spaced from each other in the direction extending outwardly from the support when the arrangement is connected to a support.
71. A method of providing support for fabric or blinds comprising connecting a support arrangement to a support and supporting fabric or a blind at two locations spaced from each other in the direction extending outwardly from the support.
72. A bracket mounting arrangement comprising a first and a second part that are movable relative to each other whereby, when the first part moves relative to the second part in one direction, the first part is arranged to grip an item to be supported by the bracket arrangement.
73. An arrangement as claimed in claim 72 in which the grip is arranged to be released by causing flexure of the first part.
74. An arrangement as claimed in claim 73 in which that flexure is arranged to allow the first part to be detached from the second part.
75. An arrangement as claimed in claim 73 or 74 in which the first part includes a weakened portion about which the flexure is arranged to occur.
76. An arrangement as claimed in any of claims 72 or 73 in which the second part is arranged to be fixed in position.
77. An arrangement as claimed in any of claims 72 to 76 in which the grip that is provided by the first part is arranged to be spaced from the second part.
78. An arrangement as claimed in claims 72 to 77 in which the first part includes a channel that is arranged to be reduced in dimension when the grip is being applied.
79. An arrangement as claimed in any of claims 72 to 78 in which the first and second parts include latching means that permit relative movement of the first parts in one direction and prevent relative movement in the opposite direction.
80. A bracket mounting arrangement comprising a first and a second part that are moveable relative to each other whereby, when the first and second parts are moved relative to each other in one direction, the arrangement is adapted to grip an item to be supported by the bracket arrangement with the grip being arranged to be released by causing flexure of the first part.
81. A support arrangement for fabric or blinds comprising a first, mounting portion for attachment of the support arrangement to a mounting surface and an attachment portion for connection to said fabric or blinds, the attachment portion being spaced apart from the mounting portion and connected to the mounting portion by a connection region wherein with the mounting portion connected to the supporting surface the connection region is shaped so as to allow easy attachment of the fabric or blinds to the attachment portion without the fabric or blinds interfering with any part of the supporting surface.
82. An arrangement as claimed in claim 81 adapted for connection to a joint between a wall and ceiling with the connection region being arranged to allow the fabric or blinds to be attached to the attachment portion without fouling the ceiling.
83. An arrangement as claimed in claim 81 or 82 in which the connection region is adapted to provide a degree of flexing to enable easy attachment of the fabric or blinds.
Description:
IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO FABRIC SUPPORT

The present invention relates to a support for fabric, a fabric support arrangement, an elongate support for a fabric, a method of adapting an elongate support for a fabric, a mounting for a fabric support, a method of altering a mounting for a fabric support, a mounting arrangement for the end of a fabric support, a method of using a mounting arrangement for the end of a fabric support, support arrangements for a fabric or blind, a method of providing support for a fabric or blind, a bracket mounting arrangement and to a method of mounting an item on, and releasing an item from a bracket mounting arrangement.

According to a first aspect of the present invention a support for fabric comprises an elongate portion arra ed to be bent in a storage position and arranged to extend in an elongate direction when, in use, the elongate portion provides support for a fabric.

The elongate portion may be arranged to be bent by being folded or rolled.

The elongate portion may have a first configuration in which the elongate portion is arranged to be bent and a second configuration when, in use, the elongate portion is arranged to provide support for fabric in which, in the second configuration, resistance to bending is increased.

The elongate portion may comprise a strip which may comprise an integrally formed strip.

The elongate portion may be arranged to be folded about a longitudinal line when moving from the first to

the second configuration. The elongate portion may include a fold about a weakened line, which line may be arranged to be weakened during manufacture of the elongate portion. Alternatively or additionally the weakened line may be arranged to be formed after manufacture, such as by scoring the elongate portion.

In the second configuration the width of the elongate portion may be increased. Alternatively or additionally the amount of material in the direction of the width of the elongate portion may be arranged to be increased in the second configuration. In the second configuration a wall may be arranged to extend in the direction of the width of the elongate portion.

The elongate portion may be arranged to directly support a fabric, for instance by being threaded through an opening in the fabric. Alternatively, the elongate portion may be arranged to indirectly support the fabric, for instance by connecting members extending from the elongate portion to a fabric. The fabric or the connectors may be arranged to cooperate with the elongate portion to assist in maintaining the elongate portion in a secoid configuration, for instance by maintaining the fold, σr at least some of the folds in position and may serve to bias the fold or at least some of the folds to the required position.

The elongate portion may include portions that are arranged to cooperate with each other to assist in maintaining the elongate portion in the second configuration. The elongate portion may have to be flexed in order to enable those portions to cooperate with each other in a second configuration, for instance by flexing

the top or bottom of the strip away from an intermediate portion.

The elongate portion may be arranged to be held at least partially in the second configuration by supports, the supports being arranged to be fastened to a surface and the supports including portions arranged to cooperate with the elongate portion in a second configuration to inhibit movement of the elongate portion away from the second configuration. Alternatively or additionally the elongate portion nay be arranged to be held at least partially in the second configuration by the connecting members cooperating with the elongate portion in the second configuration to inhibit movement of the elongate portion away from the second configuration.

The elongate portion may be arranged to be rolled up for at least one turn and preferably at least two turns, or at least three turns, or at least four turns, for instance, for a 1.5m length of elongate member.

The resistance to bending in the second configuration or the resistance to twisting about the longitudinal axis of the elongate member may be arranged to be increased by at least two times, or three times, or four times or more when the elongate member is moved to the second configuration.

The present invention also includes an elongate portion when supporting a fabric and an elongate portion when mounted in the position to support a fabric.

According to another aspect of the present invention a method of using a fabric support comprises moving an elongate portion from a bent storage position to a

configuration in which the elongate portion is able to provide support for a fabric.

The method may comprise altering the elongate portion after it has been, moved from a first configuration to a second configuration in which resistance to bending is increased.

The method may comprise the fabric support being folded or rolled in the storage position and being unfolded or unrolled from that position.

According to another aspect of the present invention a fabric support arrangement includes an elongate portion moveable about at least one elongate fold and a support for the elongate portion, the support and the elongate portion being arranged to cooperate with each other to oppose movement of the elongate portion about the fold.

The present invention also includes a method of altering the configuration of an elongate portion about at least one elongate fold and connecting the elongate portion to a support such that the support and elongate portion cooperate with each other to oppose movement of the elongate portion about the fold.

According to a further aspect of the present invention an elongate support for a fabric includes a weakened portion on the elongate support, the weakened portion being arranged, in use, to permit that portion to bend about the longitudinal extent more readily than other parts of the elongate support.

The weakened portion may extend part of the way along the elongate extent.

- D —

The weakened portion .-nay comprise a row of cuts extending transverse to the longitudinal extents.

According to another aspect of the present invention a method of adapting an elongate support for a fabric comprises weakening the support to permit the support to bend about the longitudinal extent more readily than other parts of the elongate support.

The method may comprise cutting the support along the elongate extent of the support or forming a weakened line extending across the support or both.

The method may comprise controlling the cuts to alter the extent of the weakened portion or, alternatively or additionally the amount that the portion is weakened such as by altering the proximity of the cuts to each other or, alternatively or additionally, altering the extent of the cuts along the elongate portion.

According to a further aspect of the present invention a mounting for a fabric support includes a pair of members connected together about a location between their ends with one end of each member being arranged to be secured to a supporting surface and the other end of each member being arranged to support a fabric support whereby adjustment about the connection of the members is arranged to alter the distance between the supporting surface and a fabric support.

According to a further aspect of the present invention a method of altering the distance between a supporting surface and a fabric support comprises altering the distance between one end of a pair of members that are connected together whereby the other end of the pair of

members are brought nearer to or moved further from the supporting surface.

According to a further aspect of the present invention a mounting arrangement for the end of a fabric support includes a first member arranged to be mounted on a supporting surface with the first member extending between parts of a fabric support and locating a second member to clamp parts of the fabric support against the first member.

The first and second members may be arranged to be a friction fit with each other.

The second member may be formed so as to at least partially surround a portion of the first member and the fabric support.

The second member may be provided with means for securing the second member to the first member.

According to another aspect of the present invention a method of mounting an end of a fabric support includes locating a first member between parts of the fabric support and clamping parts of the fabric support against the first member with the second member.

According to one aspect of the present invention a support arrangement for fabric or blinds comprises a first part that is arranged, in use, to be connected to a support and a second part extending from the first part, the second part being arranged, in use, to provide support for a fabric or blind at a location spaced from the first part, the angle of the second part relative to the first part being adjustable whereby, in use, the distance that

a fabric or blind is supported by the second part from a support to which the arrangement is connected is adjustable.

The arrangement may be arranged to directly or indirectly support the fabric or blind.

The first and second parts may be arranged to cooperate with each other at a particular relative angular orientation. The first and second parts may be arranged to directly cooperate with each other at a particular relative angular orientation.

At a particular relative angular orientation of the first and second parts relative angular adjustment may be arranged to be inhibited.

The first and second parts may be arranged to cooperate with each other to inhibit relative angular adjustment. The first and second parts may be arranged to so cooperate with each other directly. The first and second parts may include cooperating portions that are arranged to cooperate with each other in one of a plurality of alternative configurations to inhibit their relative angular adjustment. One of the first and second parts may include a socket and the other of those parts may include a spigot. The spigot and socket may be arranged to be brought into cooperation with each other in one of a plurality of alternative relative angular positions. The spigot and socket may be multi faceted.

The second part may include a connector arranged, in use, to provide support for a fabric or blind. The connector may be pivotally mounted on the second part. The connector may be detachable from the second part. The

- 3 - connector may be a snap fit on the second part. The connector may be arranged to be selected from one of a plurality of alternative connectors.

The arrangement may be arranged, in use, to provide two supports for fabrics or blinds spaced from each other. The other support for a fabric or blind may be arranged to be provided by the first part.

According to another aspect of the present invention a method of providing support for a fabric or blind comprises mounting a first part on a support and selecting one of a plurality of alternative angular orientations of a second part relative to the first part and supporting a fabric or blind on the second part.

The present invention also includes a method of providing support for a fabric or blind with a support arrangement as herein referred to.

According to another aspect of the present invention in a support arrangement for fabric or blinds the arrangement includes a portion arranged, in use, to be connected to a support and two portions arranged to provide support for fabric or blinds, the two portions being arranged, in use, to be spaced from each other in the direction extending outwardly from the support when the arrangement is connected to a support.

The present invention also includes a method of providing support for fabric or blinds comprising connecting a support arrangement to a support and supporting fabric or a blind at two locations spaced from each other in the direction extending outwardly from the support.

The present invention also includes a support arrangement as herein referred to when providing support for at least one fabric or blind.

According to another aspect of the present invention a bracket mounting arrangement comprises a first and a second part that are movable relative to each other whereby, when the first part moves relative to the second part in one direction the first part is arranged to grip an item to be supported by the bracket arrangement.

The grip may be arranged to be released by causing flexure of the first part, and that flexure may be arranged to allow the first part to be detached from the second part. The first part may include a weakened portion about which the flexure is arranged to occur.

The second part may be arranged to be fixed in position.

The grip that is provided by the first part may be arranged to be spaced from the second part.

The first part may include a channel that is arranged to be reduced in dimension when the grip is being applied.

The first and the second parts may include latching means that permits relative movement of the parts in one direction and prevent relative movement in the opposite directions.

According to a further aspect of the present invention a bracket mounting arrangement comprises a first and a second part that are movable relative to each other whereby, when the first and second parts are moved

relative to each other in one direction, the arrangement is adapted to grip an item to be supported by the bracket arrangement with the grip being arranged to be released by causing flexure of the first part.

According to a yet further aspect of the invention, a support arrangement for fabric or blinds is provided comprising a first, mounting portion for attachment of the support arrangement to a mounting surface and a attachment portion for connection to said fabric or blinds, the attachment portion being spaced apart from the mounting portion and connected to the mounting portion by a connection region, wherein with the mounting portion connected to the supporting surface, the connection region is shaped so as to allow easy attachment of the fabric or blinds to the attachment portion without the fabric or blinds interfering with any part of the supporting surface.

Preferably, the support arrangement is especially adapted for connection to a join between wall and ceiling, and the connection region is arranged to allow the fabric or blinds to be attached to the attachment portion without fouling the ceiling.

Preferably, the connection region is adapted to provide a degree of flexing to enable easy attachment of the fabric or blinds.

The present invention also includes a method of mounting an item on a bracket mounting and a method of releasing an item from a bracket mounting as herein referred to.

The present invention includes any combination of the herein referred to features and limitations.

The use of the term "fabric" in this specification is intended to include the term "blind".

The present invention may be carried into practice in various ways but several embodiments will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a first embodiment of part of a hanging rail 10 in a flat configuration;

Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view of the hanging rail 10 in a coiled configuration;

Figure 3 is a schematic perspective view of the rail 10 in an operative folded configuration located inside an opening 11 in a fabric tunnel top 12;

Figure 4 is a schematic perspective view of an adjustable hanging bracket 13 for the tunnel top 12;

Figures 5A to 5D are progressive schematic perspective views of an alternative hanging rail or track 14 showing the different configurations as the rail is folded to an operative configuration;

Figure 6 is a schematic perspective view of a curtain rail 15 in a flat configuration;

Figure 7 is a schematic perspective view of the rail 15 of Figure 6 in a folded configuration;

Figure 8 is a schematic perspective view of a support 16 for the rail 15 shown in Figure 6;

Figure 9 is a schematic perspective view of a glider 18 that is arranged to slide on the rail 15 of Figure 6 and a curtain hook 18 that can depend from the glider 17;

Figures 10, 11 and 12 are views that correspond to Figures 7, 8 and 9 of an alternative rail 19, support 20 and glider 21;

Figure 13 is a schematic perspective view of the rail 10 shown in Figure 3 being arranged to travel around a sharp bend 22 and a curve 23;

Figure 14 is a schematic perspective view of a bracket 24 (and cooperating plate 25) that are used to retain the end of the rail 10 in position when it extends towards a wall;

Figure 15 is a schematic perspective view of a further support arrangement 110;

Figure 16 is a schematic perspective view of an alternative rail 210 in a flat configuration;

Figure 17 is a schematic perspective view of the rail 210 in a folded configuration supporting a net curtain 222;

Figure 18 is an exploded perspective view of a bracket arrangement for supporting the rail 210;

Figure 19 is a schematic cross sectional view of the parts of the bracket arrangement and the rail 210;

Figure 20 is a plan view of an alternative type of rail 310 that may be used in any of the applications described herein;

Figures 21 and 22 are schematic perspective views of the rail 310 in alternative folded configurations;

Figures 23, 24A and 24B respectively are a side view and front left and right perspective views of a support bracket 360; and

Figures 25 and 26 are perspective views showing a rail end support arrangement 370.

The rail 10 shown in Figure 1 is of extruded plastics. In the configuration shown the rail is generally planar in its extent and can be wound into a coil 36, as shown in Figure 2. It can be seen that the moment of inertia of the planar configuration, and hence the resistance to bending is very low in all directions in the plane of the flat coil. It is that low resistance to bending that permits the rail to be rolled up into the flat coil configuration. In an alternative embodiment, (not shown) the edges of the strip are bent about the folds 27 to be flat against the part of the rail between the folds. This configuration also allows the rail to be rolled up in a flat (less deep) coil configura ion.

The coil 26 can be conveniently packaged and transported in this compact form.

When it is desired to use the rail as a tunnel rail, as shown in Figure 3, or as a curtain rail (not shown), the sides of the rail are folded over towards each other about parallel folds 27. The ability to form these folds

27 may be assisted by an area of reduced thickness -being created along the length of the folds during extrusion or by scoring the line of the folds after extrusion. The fold can be assisted by forcing the parts of the plastics adjacent to the fold tightly together.

After the rail has been folded, two parallel webs 28 of plastic extend out of the general plane of the portion of the strip extending between the folds. These webs increase the resistance of the rail to bending in the direction in which the strip is coiled in Figure 2. The resistance afforded by the webs 28 to such bending is at a maximum when the webs extend perpendicularly to the portion of the rail between the folds. However, the resistance afforded when the webs are at the angle shown in Figure 3 is still considerable and is enough for the purpose of providing the tunnel support.

With the strip in the folded configuration it is threaded through the opening 11 in the tunnel top 12, as shown in Figure 3. In that configuration the fabric tunnel will also act on the webs 28 to retain them in the position shown and prevent the webs from opening up about the folds 27 such as may tend to occur under the natural flexure of the rail.

The bracket 13 shown in Figure 4 is used to support the tunnel top. The bracket 13 comprises a pair of levers 29 that are connected together about a vertical point 30. One end of each of the levers 29 includes a sharp hook 31 extending upwardly. The other end of the levers 29 includes a downwardly extending plate 32 and a series of three openings 33 through which securing screws may extend to hold the bracket against a wall. In an alternative embodiment (not shown) , the brackets may include a rounded

- I D - or oval portion in place of the plate 22. Those portions may include oval holes through which wall fixings may extend to permit adjustment of the bracket. The oval portions may assist in the brackets having a firm contact with the wall in each angular position of the levers.

In use the plates 32 are secured to a wall and the tunnel topping is manoeuvred such that the sharp hooks 31 penetrate the fabric cf the top and locate in the space 34 formed between the downwardly extending web 28 of the rail and the main extent of the rail between the folds.

Each of the hooks 31 provides support for a spaced region of the track thereby ensuring that the bracket provides a stable anchor for the rail. Furthermore, the distance of the tunnel top from the wall can be variable by altering the angle that these levers 29 are opened to prior to securing the plates 32 to the wall. The greater the included angle between the levers the nearer the tunnel top is to the wall and visa versa.

Figure 5A shows an alternative shape that the extruded hanging rail 14 can have to the flat configuration in Figure 1. The rail 14 includes a central flange 35 and two pairs of adjacent folds 36.

In this flat configuration the rail can be rolled up as described previously in relation to Figure 1. Similarly the folds may be created as previously described.

The rail is moved to the position shown in Figure 5D by pushing edges of the rail so that they move about the folds to create and upper and lower edge 37 and webs 38.

As the free ends of the webs 38 approach different sides of the flange 35 the top and bottom of the rail are bent to the left, as viewed in Figure 5C and as shown by the arrows 39 and the central portion is bent in the appropriate direction as shown by the arrow 40. That bending movement allows the webs to clear the flange 35 and abut the adjacent surface of the rail. When the flexure is released the parts spring back to the position shown in Figure 5D with the ends of the webs being held in the recessed edge 41 extending along the length of the flange 35.

The rail shown in Figure 5D has good stiffness properties in all directions. The upper and lower edges 37 help resist bending forces tending to move the rail in the direction in which the rail was previously coiled in or in the opposed direction, particularly as the edges 37 extend at 90° to the plane of the strip shown in Figure 5A. The ends of the v/ebs 38 will abut the flange 35 to help resist any bending of the strip in the direction opposite to that shown by the arrows 39 and 40 in Figure 5C.

The rail shown in Figure 5D can cooperate with an opening to comprise a tunnel top as shown in Figure 3.

Reference will now be made to the curtain rail or track 15 and the associated components shown in Figures 6 to 9.

The track 15 shown in Figure 6 is in a flat configuration that can be rolled into a rail, as shown in Figure 2. The track includes two pairs of adjacent fold lines 42 and a flange 43.

After the track has been uncoiled the track is moved about the folds to form upper and lower edges 44 and 45 and upper and lower webs 46 and 47.

The edges and webs of the track are arranged to be retained in the configuration shown in Figure 7 by the support 16 cooperating with the upper edges 44 and the upper web 46 and the glider 17 cooperating with the lower edge 45 and web 47.

The track 15 is slid from its end over a row of spaced supports 16 that are mounted on a wall above a window. The web 46 enters an upwardly extending slot 48 in the support and a head 49 of the support 16 substantially fills the space defined by the upper edge 44, the web 46, the flange 43 and the remaining wall of the track. The upwardly facing edge 50 of the flange 43 is received and the head 49 has a correspondingly shaped projection 51 that fills that recess. The cooperation of the projection 51 with the recess in the edge 50 combined with the cooperation of the web 46 of the track with the slot 48 of the support serves to prevent any movement of the track about the upper two folds 42. Alternatively, the track 15 may be mounted on a row of supports without being slid along the supports. In this instance the upper two folds are not at the advanced stage shown in Figure 7 and the main extent of the track on which the flange 43 is mounted extends outwardly, or downwardly and outwardly from the upper edge 44. The upper web 46 is slid downwardly into the slit 48 and the main extent of the track is swung down to extend vertically with the recess in the edge 50 moving over the projection 51 on the head 49.

With the track mounted on the supports the gliders 17 are then attached. The gliders are slid in from the end of the track. The gliders include a head 52 that fits into the space defined between the lower edge 45 and web 47, the flange 43 and the main portion of the track, the top part of the head 52 of the glider is located in the recess 53 and is prevented from moving towards the wall by abutments within the recess. The web 47 may be held in place by abutment with the downwardly extending arm 54 of the glider. Alternatively locking sections may be provided at the end of the track which not only hold the lower end and web in the position shown, for instance in a similar manner to the head 49 of the support 16, but also prevent the gliders from coming off the end of the track.

The curtain hooks 18 fit through the openings 55 of the gliders in a conventional manner.

The track 14 is extremely resistant to bending in adverse directions and the upper and lower edges 44 and 45 extend and are held perpendicular to the main vertical extent of the track.

The arrangement shown in Figure 10, 11 and 12 is similar to that shown in Figures 7, 8 and 9 with the main exception being that the glider 21 is a hook glider that has a downwardly facing hook 56 and an upwardly facing hook 57 that extend over the upper edge 58 and web 59 and around the lower edge 60 and web 61.

The edges and webs of the track may be folded into position after the track has been unrolled, as described previously. The support 20 includes an upper and lower head 62 and 63 respectively. The track can be slid over

the heads of the supports to mount the track and hold the track in the configuration shown. The heads 62 and 63 would each cooperate with the associated parts of the strip in the same or similar way to that which the head 49 in Figure 8 cooperates with the track 15 of Figure 7. Alternatively the upper web can be pushed downwardly into the upwardly extending slots 64 of a series of supports 20. The track can then be moved about its folds to bring the web 61 up behind the head 63. In that instance the hook gliders 21 may help the track to maintain its shape and the weight of the curtains may also assist in the track being maintained in the required relatively rigid position.

Reference will now be made to Figure 13, which shows additional features which can be effected to the rail 10 shown in Figure 3. However it will be appreciated that the features discussed in relation ' to this rail 10 may also be incorporated in the tracks 15 and 19 of Figures 7 and 10 or the rail 14 of Figures 5A to 5D.

In order that the rail can travel around curves, such as may be present in a bay window, a series of cuts 65 are made through the complete height of the webs 28 to the folds 27. These cuts reduce the resistance to bending in the direction of the curve 23. It has been found that an even degree of curvature can be obtained by making these regularly spaced cuts. Furthermore, the length of the curve can be varied by altering the extent of the cuts along the length of the web and the degree of curvature can also be varied. The closer together that the cuts are then the greater degree of curvature and visa versa.

Of course the tracks and rails may be able to undergo the required amount of curvature by themselves, for

instance by locating the supports at appropriate locations.

The sharp bend 22 is made by creating a crease across the main extent of the rail and also across the webs. The change in direction towards the end of the rail allows the fabric tunnel to end in the traditional configuration of pelmets. Figure 14 illustrates how the end of the rail extending from the sharp bend 22 can be held in place.

The bracket 24 is secured to the wall by bolts extending through openings 66 in a flange 67. A plate 68 extends straight from the wall. The end of the rail is then slid over the plate 68 with the main extent of the rail sliding over one side and the webs 28 extending over the other side. The plate 25 is then brought up against the side of the plate 68 over which the webs extend and a protrusion 69 of the plate 25 is pushed as a force fit into an opening 70 in the plate 68 to clamp the webs between the plates 25 and 68. Alternatively, and not shown, the webs can be clamped between the plates 25 and 68 by screwing the plate 25 into attachment and towards the plate 68 with the plates having cooperating screw threaded portions or by the plates being a push snap fit together. The plate 25 can have a round shape instead of the square shape illustrated, if desired.

It is thought that the rails or tracks will be able to be rolled up through at least one revolution or turn or at least two or three or four turns for example a 1.5m length. The resistance to rolling or twisting along the longitudinal axis after folding may be increased by two times or three times or four times or more.

The arrangement 110 shown in figure 15 includes a bracket 111, an arm 112 that can extend from the bracket and a plurality of attachments 113, 114 and 115 that can be detachably connected to the end of the arm remote from the bracket 111.

In use, a plurality of brackets will be secured at the same height to a supporting surface (not shown) at spaced intervals. The bracket 111 includes two openings 116 on a back plate 117 and screws extend through the openings 116 to secure the bracket on a wall, for instance, with the back plate 117 being held against the wall.

The bracket includes a forwardly projecting clip 118 that can be connected to a curtain track in a conventional manner. The clip 118 can be a snap fit on such a track or the clip 118 can include a screw (not shown) that can act to urge the parts of the clip into firm contact with a track. The clip includes downwardly projecting spaced arms 119 and a lower intermediate outwardly extending plate 120. If desired the clip 118 could take the form of the connecting portions of the attachments 113 and 114 or of any conventional attachment.

The projecting arm 112 can also be connected to the bracket 111. To this end the bracket includes a multi faceted socket 121 into which a correspondingly shaped spigot 122 that projects downwardly from the arm 112 can extend. It will be appreciated that the faces of the socket are symmetrical about a vertical axis and so the arm can be rotationally fixed about the vertical axis in any one of a plurality of relative angular orientations. This variation in the angular orientation allows the end

of the arm 112 remote from the bracket ill to occupy different selected distances from the supporting surface.

The remote end of the arm includes a horizontal flat plate 123 that has an opening 124. Each attachment is formed with a horizontal top 124 from which a connector 125 extends downwardly. The connector 125 comprises a pair of adjacent arms that, in their position of natural flexure, are spaced from each other along their length. The arms include an enlarged lower head 126 and an upper narrow stem 127. To connect the attachment to the arm the heads 126 of each connector are urged towards each other either by the user squeezing the arms towards each other or by the user pushing the heads against the upper walls defining the opening 124. In this respect the heads are angled to include upwardly and outwardly facing portions that cooperate with the upper part defining the opening 124 such that the arms are caused to move towards each other.

With the heads 126 being closer towards each other or even touching the heads can then pass through the opening. When the heads pass through the opening beneath the plate 123 the arms of the connector spring apart such that the narrow stems 127 abut the inwardly facing walls of the opening 124. The flat top 124 of the attachment then rests on the upper surface of the plate 123 and the attachment can pivot with sliding movement occurring of the stems in the opening and the top 124 on the plate 123.

Abutment of the heads 126 with the portion of the plate defining the lower part of the opening prevents removal of the attachment. However, if the heads are squeezed towards each other they can then fit into the opening and the attachment can be removed.

The attachment 115 includes the same clip 118 as the clip that is provided on the bracket.

The attachment 113 includes a forwardly projecting upwardly extending hook 128 that can cooperate directly with a downwardly extending ledge of a track or rail or can pierce the fabric hanging from the track or rail to cooperate with such a ledge.

The attachment 114 includes a forwardly and upwardly facing channel 129 in which can rest a track or rail.

It will be appreciated that, regardless of the angle of the arm 112 to the supporting surface the attachment can be pivoted on the arm such that hook, channel or clip always faces directly away from the wall.

The clip 118 of the bracket can be used alone to support a rail or track. Alternatively the attachments 113, 114 or 115 alone could be used to support a rail or track at a variable distance from a wall. Alternatively the clip on the brackets and the attachments at the remote end of the arm can both be used to support a track or rail. For instance, net curtains could be hung from a rail connected to the clip of the bracket and a curtain could be hung from the attachments at the remote end of the arm.

Any of the clips or attachments could also be used to support a blind. If necessary the clips or attachments could be suitably modified to enable such attachment to blinds.

A further alternative rail 210 is shown in figures 16 and 17. In the flat construction shown in figure 16 the

rail can be rolled up. The rail includes two spaced parallel fold lines 212 and 214. The rail 210 can be bent or folded about the fold 212 and 214 (after the flat strip has been unrolled) to take up the inverted "U" form shown in figure 17. Over the majority of the extent of the folded rail one vertical wall 216 is larger than the other vertical wall 218.

The folded rail can be slid inside an elongate pocket 220 of a net curtain 222 with the natural flexibility of the rail and the size of the rail urging the walls of the rail against the sides of the pocket such that the material of the net curtain around the pocket is taut.

It can be seen that the rail can be cut to the required length on site with a pair of scissors, for instance. Accordingly the rail occupies a small space in transit and can be quickly tailored to the size required.

The rail can also travel around sharp corners and gradual curves, such as are found in bay windows. To enable the rail to undergo a change in direction two 45° cuts 224 can be made in the vertical wall 218 and the horizontal wall of the rail that converge at the vertical wall 216. The angle of the cuts 224 can be varied to suit different sharp bends that this rail has to go round such that the cut surfaces of the rail abut when the required angle is made.

To enable the rail to travel around curves, again angled cuts 226 can be made in the vertical wall 216 and the horizontal wall with those cuts being spaced to expose the top edge 228 of the wall 216 between the cuts. The extent of that top edge 228 corresponds to the length of the curve that the rail has to go through.

The cuts can be made before the rail has been folded or after.

Figures 18 and 19 show the configuration that a mounting bracket arrangement 230 can take at the end of the rail. Ordinarily, for the light weight and net curtains, only one bracket at each end will be required. There may, however be brackets intermediate the ends either in gaps between net curtains or with the pocket of the net curtains being cut to accommodate the bracket.

The bracket arrangement 230 comprises a fixed holder 232 and a movable clip 234. The holder 232 can be wall mounted, by means of screws passing through openings 236, or ceiling mounted by means of a screw passing through the opening 238 with access to the head of the screw being gained through a downwardly open socket 240. If desired, the holder 232 can be both wall and ceiling mounted.

With the holder in place the clip can then be attached. The clip includes an upwardly open channel 242 into which the short wall 218 of the rail extends with the top of the rail resting on the top of an arm 244 defining one side of the channel and with the other vertical wall 216 of the rail resting against the outside of the arm 244 and the clip.

The clip, with the rail in the location illustrated in figure 19, is then offered up to the holder 232 with a rod 246 moving up into the socket 240 and an arm 248 sliding over ratchet teeth 250 on the outside of the holder.

As the arm 248 slides over the ratchet teeth the arm 248 is flexed towards the arm 244 to reduce the width of

the channel 242 and thereby nip the wall 218 of the rail firmly in place. Upwards movement of the rod 246 in the socket is restricted by abutment of the arm 248 with an outwardly projecting stop 252 of the holder. If desired the ratchet teeth 250 can diverge outwardly, away from the socket, and upwardly such that the gripping force on the strip is increased as the clip is pushed up. The nip that is achieved within the channel 242 allows the bracket arrangement to hold rails having walls of different thickness.

Release of the clip from the holder is achieved by pulling the rail outwardly, away from the holder. The resulting force on the clip flexes the clip about a weakened portion 254 to allow the arm 248 to move away from the rod 246 and thus allow the arm 246 to clear the ratchet teeth and allow the clip to be moved downwardly and clear of the holder. When the arm is clear of the holder the firm grip on the wall 218 of the strip is released.

Although the bracket 210 has been described in relation to the gripping of a rail for net curtains it will be appreciated that the bracket may grip any rail.

The rail 310 shown in Figures 20, 21 and 22 includes upper adjacent folds 336 and lower adjacent folds 336. In the flat configuration the rail can be rolled up as described above. In the folded configuration the rail can be bent about the folds 336 into the configuration shown in Figures 21 and 22.

In the configuration shown in Figure 21 the region 344 between the upper adjacent folds is horizontal as is

the region 345 between the lower adjacent folds. * The remaining parts of the strip are vertical.

In the configuration shown in Figure 22, the region 344 between the adjacent upper fold lines extends downwardly and away from the main vertical extent of the strip with the edge region 359 extending downwardly and back towards the main region. The region 345 extends upwardly and away from the main extent of the strip with the edge region extending upwardly and inwardly towards the main extent.

As shown in Figure 20 the strip can have the converging cuts 324 in the top and bottom of the strip to enable the rail to be bent around sharp corners (as described above in relation to the cuts 224 in Figure 17) . Similarly the spaced cuts 326 may be made at the top and bottom of the strip to enable the folded rail to be bent around a curve.

Figures 23, 24A and 24B respectively are a side view and front left and right perspective views of a support bracket 360. The support bracket 360 comprises a mounting portion 361 and an attachment portion. The mounting portion 361 has an aperture 362 formed in an upper surface thereof to enable the bracket to be ceiling mounted by means of a screw fitting 363 or the like, and has formed on a back surface thereof, a channel portion 364 forming a mouth into which a further screw fixing 365 or the like may be passed to secure the support bracket 360 to a supporting surface such as a wall. The attachment portion is located at an opposite end of the support bracket 360 to the mounting portion 361 and comprises a pair of forwardly and upwardly facing channels 366, an upstanding portion 367 and a pair of arms 368. The channels 366 are

- 23 - formed by the ends of the arms 368, which arms are held in spaced apart relation to one another by the upstanding portion 367.

In use, the support bracket 360 of Figure 23 and 24 connects to a track or rail by resting part of the track or rail within the channels 366. The arms 368 of the support bracket 360 have a degree of inbuilt curvature in them which lowers the channel portions 366 in relation to the mounting portion 361 and also provides the arms with the ability to flex somewhat so that when a support bracket is mounted to wall and ceiling, the track or rail may be relatively easily inserted into the channels 366 without the track or rail interfering with the ceiling itself.

It will be appreciated that although the support bracket 360 is shown having channel portions 366 to attach with a track or rail, other attachment clips or types could be used as appropriate and the attachment portion of the bracket 360 could vary accordingly.

Referring now to Figures 25 and 26, a rail end support arrangement 370 is shown. The support arrangement 370 enables the end of a rail such as the rail 310 to be held in place and, in particular, may be used to enable a rail having a sharp bend formed therein (as described previously in relation to Figure 14, for instance) to be held in place.

The rail end support arrangement 370 comprises a bracket 371 and a clip 372. The bracket 371 is securable to a wall or the like by bolts or other fixings which extend through openings 373 in a flange portion 374. The flange portion 374 is connected substantially at right

angles to a plate portion 375 and a reinforcing web 376 is also provided linking the flange portion 374 and plate portion 375 together. The web 376 provides strengthening to help maintain the plate portion 375 and the bracket 374 at right angles to one another.

The plate portion 375 is also provided with an aperture 377 for the acceptance of a split head region 378 of the clip 372. The split head region 378 is similar in construction to the connector 125 as shown in Figure 15 and cooperates with the aperture 377 in identical fashion to that which the connector 125 cooperates with the opening 124 of arm 112 of Figure 15.

In use, the end of a rail such as rail 310 is slid over plate portion 375 with the main extent of the rail sliding over one side and edge regions 359 extending over the other side. The clip 372 is then brought up against the side of the plate portion 375 over which the edge regions 359 extend and the clip is flexed such that retaining channels 379 at either end of the clip pass over the plate portion and head 378 is pushed into opening 377 so as to secure the clip and rail into position. Alternatively, the clip 372 could be passed over the bracket 371 and loosely held there prior to sliding the rail end on, the head 378 could then be pushed into the opening 377 to secure the assembly.

Alternatively, and not shown, the rail may be clamped between the portion 375 and a further securing plate by providing further openings in the portion 375 and further plate and clamping the plate and portion 375 together by means of screw fittings or the like.

In a further embodiment (not shown) , end caps may be provided. These have a flat end face and inwardly directed, spaced boundary walls. Those walls define, between them, a slot corresponding to the slope of the folded strip such that the end of the strip can be inserted between the boundary walls to conceal the ends and assist in maintaining the strip in the required folded configuration. The slot may extend around three sides only.

In an alternative embodiment, not shown, the strip can have notches similar to the cuts 324 shown at the top of figure 20 with the exception that the notch only extends part of the way across the free side of the outer fold 336. Accordingly the notches do not affect the rigidity of the folded section. The notches can be formed during maintenance or on site. The notches are spaced equally aiong the strip to allow net curtains to be gathered at set intervals along the length with the gathered part of the net being retained in the notches to provide a pleasing effect.