AU2018236907B2

AU2018236907B2 - Curtain cord guide

Info

Publication number: AU2018236907B2
Application number: AU2018236907A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Joshua Phipps; Stuart Thomas
Original assignee: Hunter Douglas Ltd AU
Current assignee: Hunter Douglas Ltd AU
Priority date: 2017-10-23
Filing date: 2018-10-02
Publication date: 2025-01-30
Anticipated expiration: 2038-10-02
Also published as: AU2018236907A1

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a curtain cord guide 10 for a track mounted curtain system 100 of the type comprising an elongate track 102 that is mounted horizontally and has a channel 104 extending therealong to receive gliders 106 from which a curtain can be hung. The guide 10 comprises a body 12 engageable in the channel 104. The body 12 has a first end 12a and an opposite second end 12b defining a longitudinal axis A of the body extending therebetween. A retainer 14 is associated with the body 12 for releasably securing the body at a fixed location in the channel 104. A pair of discrete curtain cord paths 16, 18 extend through the body 12 from the first end 12a to receive and guide a curtain cord 108 of the of the curtain system 100. Each of the discrete paths 16, 18 has a first end 16a, 18a and a second end 16b, 18b. In use, with the body 12 engaged in the channel 104 and secured at the fixed location, the first end 12a of the body is located inboard of a longitudinal end 102a of the track and the second end 12b of the body is located substantially at the longitudinal end 102a of the track. 1/4 OO~~ -r Cl LKLLJJ~

Description

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"Curtain cord guide"

Cross-reference

[0001] The entire disclosure of the specification of Australian Patent Application No. 2017904268, filed 23 October 2017, is incorporated herein by way of reference.

Technical Field

[0002] This specification discloses a curtain cord guide for a track mounted curtain system.

Background

[0003] An example of a known track mounted curtain system 100' is shown in FIG. 1 of the accompanying drawings. A track mounted curtain system typically includes an elongate extruded metal track 102 that is mounted horizontally. Gliders 106 from which the curtain is hung are installed in a channel 104 that extends along the track. Typically, movement of the curtain is controlled by a loop of cord 108, a first portion 108b of which hangs vertically from a first pulley mounted in a first pulley module 110 installed on a first end of the track 102 and a second portion of which extends from the first pulley, along the channel 104 of the track, to a second pulley mounted in a second pulley module at an opposite second end of the track 102. A carrier unit 114 is also engaged in the channel 102 and is connected to an end of the curtain distal from the first end of the track. The distal end of the curtain is hung from the carrier unit 114, with the remainder of the curtain being hung from the gliders 106. The loop of cord 108 is fastened to the carrier unit 114. By manipulating the first portion of the loop 108a, the carrier unit 114 can be moved back and forward along the track 102 to close and open the curtain.

[0004] A disadvantage of known track mounted curtain systems is that the pulley modules extend longitudinally from the track. As such, the curtain cannot extend all the way to the longitudinal ends of the track/pulley module assembly. Therefore, if the curtain system is mounted within an architectural opening, such as a window frame, a gap, through which light can enter or privacy be compromised, exists between the sides of the window frame and the ends of the curtain. Also, the presence of the pulley modules extending longitudinally from the track means that, if used, a pelmut must be wider than the curtain so as to also cover the pulley modules. The presence of the pulley modules 110, 112 can also detract from the aesthetic appeal of the curtain system.

[0005] Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles or the like which has been included in the present specification is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the present disclosure as it existed before the priority date of each of the appended claims.

Summary

[0006] Throughout this specification the word "comprise", or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps.

[0006a] It is an object of the present invention to overcome or ameliorate at least one of the disadvantages of existing arrangements, or to provide a useful alternative.

[0007] Disclosed herein is a curtain cord guide for a track mounted curtain system of the type comprising an elongate track that is mounted horizontally and has a channel extending therealong to receive gliders from which a curtain can be hung, the guide comprising:

a body engageable in the channel, the body having a first end and an opposite second end defining a longitudinal axis of the body extending therebetween, wherein the body has grooves on opposite sides thereof for engaging lips that extend inwardly from opposing side flanges of the channel, wherein the grooves extend along the full length of the body between the first end and the second end;

a retainer associated with the body for releasably securing the body at a fixed location in the channel, the retainer comprising a clamping mechanism for engaging the track; and

a pair of discrete curtain cord paths extending through the body from the first end to receive and guide a curtain cord of the of the curtain system, each of the discrete paths having a first end, a second end and a tubular opening extending through the body, wherein the first end of the pair of discrete paths is configured to guide a first portion of the curtain cord extending from the first end of the body in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis and the second end of the pair of discrete paths is configured to guide a second portion of the curtain cord extending therefrom in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis; wherein, in use, with the body engaged in the channel and secured at the fixed location, the first end of the body is located inboard of a longitudinal end of the track and the second end of the body is located substantially at the longitudinal end of the track.

[0008] Each of the discrete paths may transition through substantially 90 degrees between its first end and its second end. The first end of the pair of discrete paths may be configured to guide a first portion of the curtain cord extending from the first end of the body in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis and the second end of the pair of discrete paths may be configured to guide a second portion of the curtain cord extending therefrom in a direction transverse, such as substantially perpendicular, to the longitudinal axis. The second end of the discrete paths may be located between opposing flanges that define sides of the channel.

[0009] The pair of discrete paths may comprise a pair of tubular openings extending through the body.

[0010] The track may comprise opposing flanges that define sides of the channel. A lip may extend from each of the opposing flanges inwardly toward the lip of the opposing flange. The body may have grooves on opposite sides thereof for engaging the lips. The grooves may extend along the full length of the body between the first and second ends of the body.

[0011] The retainer may comprise a clamping mechanism for engaging the track. The clamping mechanism may comprise a clamping flange carried on the body and moveable into and out of engagement with the track, respectively to secure and release the body from the track. Movement of the clamping flange may be actuated by a threaded element, such as a bolt.

[0012] Also disclosed is a track mounted curtain system comprising: an elongate track for mounting horizontally, the track having a channel extending therealong to receive gliders from which a curtain can be hung; and a curtain cord guide as defined in paragraph [0007] above, optionally also including any one or more of the features defined in paragraphs [0008] to [0011] above, wherein, with the body engaged in the channel and secured at the fixed location, the first end of the body is located inboard of a longitudinal end of the track and the second end of the body is located substantially at the longitudinal end of the track.

[0013] Also disclosed herein is an invention comprising any patentable combination of steps, features, integers, compositions and/or compounds disclosed herein.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0014] Non-limiting examples of an apparatus embodying principles disclosed herein will now be described with reference to accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows an example of a known track mounted curtain system, wherein view a) of FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the system and view b) of FIG. 1 is an end view of a track used in the system;

FIG. 2 is a partially exploded perspective view of a track mounted curtain system comprising a first example of a curtain cord guide embodying principles disclosed herein;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view looking toward a first end of the curtain cord guide of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view looking toward a second end of the curtain cord guide of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the body of the curtain cord guide of FIG. 2.

Description of Embodiments

[0015] Referring to FIGS. 2-5 of the drawings, there is shown a curtain cord guide 10 for a track mounted curtain system 100 of the type comprising an elongate track 102 that is mounted horizontally and has a channel 104 extending therealong to receive gliders 106 from which a curtain can be hung. The guide 10 comprises a body 12 engageable in the channel 104. The body 12 has a first end 12a and an opposite second end 12b defining a longitudinal axis A of the body extending therebetween. A retainer 14 is associated with the body 12 for releasably securing the body at a fixed location in the channel 104. A pair of discrete curtain cord paths 16, 18 extend through the body 12 from the first end 12a to receive and guide a curtain cord 108 of the of the curtain system 100. Each of the discrete paths 16, 18 has a first end 16a, 18a and a second end 16b, 18b. In use, with the body 12 engaged in the channel 104 and secured at the fixed location, the first end 12a of the body is located inboard of a longitudinal end 102a of the track and the second end 12b of the body is located substantially at the longitudinal end 102a of the track.

[0016] Each of the discrete paths 16, 18 transitions through 90 degrees between its first end 16a, 18a and its second end 16b, 18b. The first end 16a, 18a of the pair of discrete paths is configured to guide a first portion 108a of the curtain cord extending from the first end 12a of the body 12 in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis A. The second end 16b, 18b of the pair of discrete paths is configured to guide a second portion 108b of the curtain cord extending therefrom in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis A. In the illustrated example, the second end 16b, 18b of the pair of discrete paths guides the second portion 108b of the curtain cord extending therefrom in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A. The second end 16b, 18b of the discrete paths is located between opposing flanges 104a that define sides of the channel 104. In the illustrated example, the pair of discrete paths 16, 18 takes the form of a pair of tubular openings extending through the body 12.

[0017] In the illustrated example, the body 12 has grooves 12c on opposite sides thereof for engaging lips 104b that extend inwardly from the flanges 104a of the track 102. The grooves 12c extend along the full length of the body 12 between the first end 12aand thesecondend12b.

[0018] In the illustrated example, the retainer 14 is located between the second end 12b of the body and the second end 16b, 18b of the discrete paths and takes the form of a clamping mechanism for engaging the track 102. The clamping mechanism 14 comprises a clamping flange 14a carried on the body 12 and moveable into and out of engagement with the track 102, respectively to secure and release the body 12 from the track. Specifically, in the illustrated example, the clamping flange 14a is moveable into and out of engagement with the lips 104b. Movement of the clamping flange 14a is actuated by a threaded element 14b, which in the illustrated example takes the form of a bolt.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 5, the body 12 is formed in multiple parts that are secured together by fasteners 22. This multi-part construction of the body 12 facilitates manufacture of the body using conventional moulding techniques. However, in other embodiments, the body 12 may be formed from a smaller number of parts, or from a single part, and manufactured, for example, by casting or material deposition/3D printing.

[0020] It will be appreciated that the system 100 can use a track 102 of the type shown in FIG. 2 or an alternative form of track, noting that many forms of track are known in the art. Moreover, the system 100 can be oriented as shown in FIG. 2, in which the channel 104 opens horizontally, or in an orientation rotated through 90 degrees relative to that shown in FIG. 2., in which the channel 104 opens vertically downwardly.

[0021] It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the above-described embodiments, without departing from the broad general scope of the present disclosure. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.

Claims

1. A curtain cord guide for a track mounted curtain system of the type comprising an elongate track that is mounted horizontally and has a channel extending therealong to receive gliders from which a curtain can be hung, the guide comprising:

a body engageable in the channel, the body having a first end and an opposite second end defining a longitudinal axis of the body extending therebetween, wherein the body has grooves on opposite sides thereof for engaging lips that extend inwardly from opposing side flanges of the channel, wherein the grooves extend along the full length of the body between the first end and the second end; a retainer associated with the body for releasably securing the body at a fixed location in the channel, the retainer comprising a clamping mechanism for engaging the track; and a pair of discrete curtain cord paths extending through the body from the first end to receive and guide a curtain cord of the of the curtain system, each of the discrete paths having a first end, a second end and a tubular opening extending through the body, wherein the first end of the pair of discrete paths is configured to guide a first portion of the curtain cord extending from the first end of the body in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis and the second end of the pair of discrete paths is configured to guide a second portion of the curtain cord extending therefrom in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis; wherein, in use, with the body engaged in the channel and secured at the fixed location, the first end of the body is located inboard of a longitudinal end of the track and the second end of the body is located substantially at the longitudinal end of the track.

2. The curtain cord guide of claim 1, wherein each of the discrete paths transitions through substantially 90 degrees between its first end and its second end.

3. The curtain cord guide of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the direction transverse to the longitudinal axis is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

4. The curtain cord guide of any one of the preceding claims, wherein, in use, the second end of the discrete paths is located between opposing flanges that define sides of the channel.

5. The curtain cord guide of any one of the preceding claims , wherein the clamping mechanism comprises a clamping flange carried on the body and moveable into and out of engagement with the track, respectively to secure and release the body from the track.

6. The curtain cord guide of claim 5, wherein movement of the clamping flange is actuated by a threaded element.

7. A track mounted curtain system comprising: an elongate track for mounting horizontally, the track having a channel extending therealong to receive gliders from which a curtain can be hung; and the curtain cord guide of any one of the preceding claims, the body of the guide being engageable in the channel, wherein, with the body engaged in the channel and secured at the fixed location by the retainer, the first end of the body is located inboard of a longitudinal end of the track and the second end of the body is located substantially at the longitudinal end of the track.

8. The curtain system of claim 7, wherein the track comprises opposing flanges that define sides of the channel, and wherein a lip extends from each of the opposing flanges inwardly toward the lip of the opposing flange, the lips being configured for engagement with grooves on opposite sides of the body of the guide.