Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
1063508
Specification
The present invention relates to curtain rod structures
and more particularly to a one way draw curtain rod equally
adaptable to locating the draw at either end.
Conventional one way curtain rod construction includes
curtain rods having a pulley assembly mounted at one or the
other end of the rod in a fixed manner to locate the draw
cords as desired, either a right or a le~t hand draw. Addi-
; tionally, within the curtain rod field are one way rod as-
semblies where the pulley assembly is mounted to both ends of
the rod such being termed a convertible one way draw.
An objectional feature found in right or left hand one
way draw curtain rod assemblies is that they may not be altered
should the homeowner desire to alter the location of the draw
cords, therefore changing the direction in which the curtains
will pull. The problem is somewhat alleviated by the above
mentioned convertible one way draw. Said convertible one way
draw curtain rods require the retailer or homeowner to pull
the cords through the rod, change the master slide arm, and
change the curtain slides to the opposite end to provide the
left or right hand pull desired. This is, in effect, a two
way rod converted into a one way rod. An objection to such
an arrangement is that it results in the pulley assembly and
associated brackets supporting same being associated in some
instances with the weaker or smaller of the telescopic curtain
rods. After a lengthy period of use, forces imparted to the
pulley assembly, which is partially supported by the smaller
telescopic member, result in adverse wear and early failure
of the rod and/or other components.
The present curtain rod is directed toward providing a
durable, one way draw curtain rod adaptable for use as either
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; a right hand or left hand pull such being accomplished simply
upon inverting and turning of the rod end-for-end without
removal and reinstallation of the pulley assembly being re-
quired.
Telescopic rod members of the present rod are substan-
tially conventional in that they are slotted throughout their
lengths to receive slides for reception of curtain hooks.
Secured to the larger or primary telescopic rod is a pulley
assembly having multiple pulleys about some of which are
routed the curtain draw cords. The unique pulley arrangement
permits the pulley assembly to function when inverted such
' inverting permitting selective locating of the cord pull at
,; either side of a window. A master carrier assembly includes
a detachable component which may be repositioned upon rod in-
version. A hinged component of the master carrier is also
repositionable upon inveræion of the traverse rod.
~Z Objectives of the present reversible curtain rod as-
,~ sembly include: the provision of a rod having a pulley
assembly secured in a permanent manner to one end of the cur-
tain rod, said assembly being operable in an inverted position
to enable the curtain rod to be turned end-for-end and inverted
to provide left or right hand draw cords as desired without rod
or pulley disassembly; the provision of a curtain rod having a
pulley assembly permanently associated with the main telescopic
rod member thereby avoiding the undesirable consequences of
combining a pulley assembly with a secondary (smaller sized)
telescopic rod member resulting in undue loads being imparted
to the last mentioned member; the provision of a curtain rod
including a master carrier including a detachable curtain bar
component for removal and reinstallation on the master carrier
slide without the use of tools to support the outer edge of
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the curtain in a normal manner' the provision of a reversible
curtain rod having components arranged so as to operate with
equal ease and in a trouble free manner regardless of the rods
, installed position; the provision of a curtain rod equally
adaptable to locating the cord draw at either of its ends
thereby obviating large curtain rod inventories and installa-
tion problems encountered by those in the trade.
In the accompanying drawing:
Figure 1 is a front elevational view of the reversible
draw curtain rod embodying the present invention,
Figure 2 is a fragmentary front elevational view of the
curtain rod of Figure l relocated by turning end-for-end and ;
inverting same to reposition the draw cords at the right hand
, side of a curtain,
Figure 3 is a plan view of Figure 1,
Figure 4 is an elevational view of the unseen side of
the c~rtain rod end and master carrier assembly viewed in
' Figure 1, and
Figure 5 is a perspective view of the master carrier
; 20 assembly.
With continuing reference to the accompanying drawing
wherein applied reference numerals indicate parts similarly
identified in the following specification, the reference
numeral 10 indicates generally the present curtain rod
assembly including a primary rod member 11 and secondary or
lesser sized rod member 12 in telescopic engagement in the
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well-known manner. Supporting the rod members 11 and 12
;~ are adjustable brackets 13 and 14 which may be of conventional
~j style as are the slides at 15 carried by each of the rod mem-
bers and apertured at 15A to receive inserted curtain support-
ing hooks (not shown). ~-
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Integral with primary rod member 11 is a pulley assembly
16 including angular pulley mounting plates 20 and 21 which
serve to mount pulley spindles 22, 23 and 24 on which are
journalled pulleys 25, 26 and 27. Pulley mounting plate 20
terminates outwardly in a reduced sleeve 30 within which is
permanently affixed one end of primary rod 11. Pulley plates
20 and 21 are both of an angular nature having segments at -
20A and 21A extending generally parallel into wedged engage-
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ment with a holder 31 comprising part of a conventional
bracket 32 in place on a wall surface WS.
As aforesaid the two telescopic rod members 11 and 12
are of conventional design with the interfitted end of mem-
ber 12 extensible from member 11 to provide adjustment for
the length desired in a particular installation. The distal
end of rod member 12 carries a pulley 33 about which i9 en-
trained a curtain draw cord at 34 while a similar draw cord is
indicated at 35.
A master carrier indicated generally at 36 includes a
slide member 37 for travel internally within rod members 11
and 12 in response to oppositely exerted forces imparted
~; thereto by the draw cords 34 and 35 terminating in opposite
attachment to slide member 37 having cord receiving openings
thereîn. Slide member 37 is bifurcated at 37A lengthwise to
provide slotted areas therealong which receive the opposing
edges of each curtain rod member 11 and 12. Accordingly,
; member 37 is entrained for rectilinear movement along mem-
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bers 11 and 12 during opening and closing of a curtain sup-
ported from slides 15 and a later described curtain bar.
With reference to Figures 3 and 4, it will be seen that
master carrier assembly 36 includes a detachable curtain bar
40 and bar carrier plate 41 the latter having keyhole shaped
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openings 41A formed therein f~r detachable engagement with
studs 42 each having an enlarged head portion for retention
of bar carrier plate 41. The ènlarged open areas 41A permit
detachment of plate 41 upon lifting and separating motions ;
of plate 41 relative to slide 37. As best viewed in Figure i~
5, plate 41 iS of irregular shape having an offset lower por-
tion 44 which pivotally mounts at 43 curtain support bar 40
of U-shape. Ears at 45 are struck from offset lower portion
44 and serve as limit stops when xelocating bar 40 about pivot
43. Changing of the present curtain rod from a right hand
pull to a left hand pull or vice versa necessitates removal
of plate 41 from slide 37 with reattachment adjacent the
opposite edge of the curtain rod which, of course, has been
inverted. The offset medial portion of component 41 iS
always directed toward the front side of the curtain rod so
as to position curtain bar 40 substantially in alignment with
slides 15 to receive curtain hooks associated with the outer
end of the curtain.
While I have shown but one embodiment of the invention,
it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the
invention may be embodied still otherwise without departing
from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in
the appended claims.
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