AU601312B2

AU601312B2 - Draw cord pulley unit

Info

Publication number: AU601312B2
Application number: AU26450/88A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Ian Maxwell Griffiths
Original assignee: Hunter Douglas Ltd AU
Current assignee: Hunter Douglas Ltd AU
Priority date: 1987-12-03
Filing date: 1988-12-01
Publication date: 1990-09-06
Anticipated expiration: 2008-12-01
Also published as: AU2645088A

Description

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AUSTRALIA 6 1 1 Patents Act COMPLETE SPECIFICATION

(ORIGINAL)

Class Int. Class Application Number: Lodged: Complete Specification Lodged: Accepted: Published: Priority Related Art: APPLICANT'S REF.: CAP of PI 5723 Name(s) of Applicant(s): Address~es) of Applicant(s): -GbYDE-1iNDUSTRIES-1A~MIlT-ED.

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tVz. Actual Inventor(s);

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't2f~~ for Service is: j *PHILLIPSP-ORMONDEAND FTZPA-TRICK Ptent-andrrade Mark,-Attorneys -367-Collins Street- Specification for the invention entitled: "DRAW CORD PULLEY UNIT" The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to applicant(s): P?41JiS4 hh~~ DRAW CORD PULLEY UNIT This invention relates generally to a support track assembly having an elongate track from which a member or structure is suspended, and in particular to a pulley unit of that assembly for guiding a draw cord used to control member or structure movement along the track. The pulley unit is applicable for curtain track assemblies, from which curtains are suspended, and decorative finials are mounted at the ends of the track. It will be convenient to hereinafter disclose the invention in relation to that exemplary application, although it is to be appreciated that the invention is not limited thereto.

In a curtain track assembly of this type the track, in the form of a metal generally tubular rail or beam, defines a S longitudinally extending guide slot into which travellers te project for slidable connection to the track. In the exemplary application curtains can be suspended from these travellers. Master sliders are similarly connected to the track and a draw cord is attached to the slider6 for operation to control bi-directional movement of the sliders along the track.

The draw cord extends along a cord path which lies within the track except for a loop section depending therefrom so that cord in that section can be gripped for cord operation. To avoid the necessity of providing a separate aperture in the track for passage of the cord along the loop section, the cord path usually passes through the guide slot to and from that loop section. In one arrangement, a guide block is fixed in the slot at the location where the cord path passes through the slot in order to guide the draw cord to and from the path loop section. That guide block is of a one piece construction and has guide passages through which the cord slides during its operation. One such block is disclosed in Australian patent 567210.

Although the guide block functions reasonably satisfactorily, it does exert some friction or resistance on the cord even where the passages are provided with smooth bearing surfaces. This in turn inhibits free cord movement 39 during its operation.

KW -2- L1 It is an object of the present invention to alleviate this disadvantage through the provision of a pulley unit for guiding the draw cord through the track guide slot.

With that object in mind, the present invention provides in one broad aspect a draw cord pulley unit for a curtain support track having a traveller guide slot extending longitudinally of a wall thereof, the pulley unit including: a support body mountable in the guide slot at a fixed location therealong, the body providing at least one cord path along which a curtain draw cord can extend for passage through the guide slot; and, at least one guide pulley rotatably carried by the support body and about which the cord passes for guidance along the cord path and through the guide slot.

•0 °°In at least one embodiment of the present invention the 0 0 support body is mountable in the guide slot so as to extend °o both inwardly of and outwardly from the track wall. Moreover, the or each cord path extends between locations within the o 00 o track and externally clear of the track in at least one embodiment. This tends to prevent binding of the draw cord with the track in the region of the pulley unit.

In at least one embodiment the cord path has a section 0.0 which, when the pulley unit is installed on the track, extends 00 horizontally from within the track and through the slot. A successive cord path section then extends vertically 00 downwardly externally of the track on which the unit is installed.

In at least one embodiment of the present invention, the support body includes locating means cooperable with edge regions of the track wall between which the guide slot is defined in order to mount the support body in the guide slot.

That locating means acts to retain the support body against ~iimovement laterally out of the guide slot but permits movement of the support body relative to the curtain support track along the guide slot. In at least one embodiment the locating means includes a pair of locating grooves provided on opposite sides of the support body. Each groove is shaped and sized to slidably receive a respective edge region of the track wall.

In at least one embodiment, a pair of cord paths are 39 provided. Those cord paths extending in parallel, spaced KW 3

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1> apart relation to one another in at least one embodiment.

In at least one embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of guide pulleys are provided. These guide pulleys are arranged so that the draw cord is engaged and guided solely by the pulleys as the cord passes along the or each cord path. At least two guide pulleys are positioned in succession along the or each cord path so that the draw cord passes about the guide pulleys in succession in moving along the cord path in at least one embodiment.

In one embodiment, at least one of the guide pulleys is located so as to be immediately adjacent the guide slot external of the track. That guide pulley is rotatable on an axis which extends horizontally when the pulley unit is installed on the track. At least one further guide pulley is II e located so as to be in the guide slot or within the track in this embodiment. That guide pulley is rotatable on an axis which extends vertically when the pulley unit is installed on Ir the track. Where a pair of parallel cord paths are provided S then, in at least one embodiment a total of three guide pulleys are located so as to be in the guide slot or within the track and rotatable on vertical axes. With this S' arrangement the cord paths extend about a selected two of 2 those guide pulleys depending on a direction in which the draw cord extends relative to the pulley unit when the pulley unit at S is installed on the track.

In another broad aspect of the present invention, there is provided a curtain track assembly including: an elongate hollow track having a rear wall, a traveller guide slot formed through the rear wall and extending longitudinally thereof; and, the above draw cord pulley unit mounted within the guide slot adjacent one end thereof.

The following description refers to a preferred embodiment of the pulley unit of the present invention. To facilitate an understanding of the invention, reference is made in the description to the accompanying drawings where the unit is illustrated in that preferred embodiment as part of a curtain support track assembly. It is to be understood that the pulley unit is not limited to the preferred embodiment as 39 hereinafter described and as illusttated in the drawings.

4 -j r In the drawings: Fig. 1 is an exploded perspective view of part of a curtain track assembly incorporating a pulley unit according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view through section II-II of the pulley unit in Fig. i.

Referring to the drawings there is generally illustrated part of curtain track assembly 1, including elongate curtain track 2. Track 2 is hollow or tubular providing passage 3.

Rear wall 4 of track 2 has traveller guide slot 5 formed therethrough and defined between opposed wall edge regions 6.

Slot 5 extends longitudinally of track 2 for its entire length so as to form a guide for curtain runners or traveller.; (not shown) of known form. Track 2 is formed of extruded aluminium o: o section in this embodiment but can be made of other materials 0l 4a and in other ways.

Track 2 has upper part 7 formed to suitably co-act with p.

securing brackets or other support means (not shown) for o mounting track 2 in position. In the embodiment shown, track 2 has front wall 8 which extends across upper part 7 to hide it from view and wall 8 may be arranged to provide a decorative facade for track 2.

Assembly 1 also has draw cord 9 with a pair of draw sections 10 which extend along track passage 3 and are connected to master sliders (not shown) for operation to control movement of those sliders along track 2. Draw sections 10 pass from passage 3 through slot 5 into loop section 11 depending externally of track 2.

Assembly 1 further includes pulley unit 12 which mounts on track 2 for guiding draw cord 9 through slot 5 between draw 4P sections 10 and loop section 11. Unit 12 includes support body 13 mounted in slot 5 so as to extend both inwardly of and outwardly from track rear wall 4. Body 13 provides a pair of parallel c)rd paths 14 along which draw sections respectively extend for passage through slot 5 to loop section 11. Each cord path 14 extends between locations within track passage 3 and externally clear of track 2. In this way, binding of the cord 9 with track 2, and particularly against 39 longitudinal edge regions 6, can be avoided.

XW i' With unit 12 fixed in an installed track assembly, each path 14 has section 15 extending horizontally from within track passage 3, through slot 5, and a successive section 16 extending vertically downwardly so that cord 9 will then hang freely from support body 13 for gripping to operate assembly 1. Each horizontal section 15 has a part that extends longitudinally of slot 5 and a part that extends transversely through slot 5 to merge into respective vertical section 16.

Support body 13 is provided with locating means 17 by which body 13 is secured in slot 5. Locating means 17 cooperates with edge regions 6 of track rear wall 4.

In this embodiment, locating means 17 includes a pair of locating grooves 18 into which respective track edge regions 6 are received. Locating grooves 18 are provided on opposite 9o sides of support body 13 and face in opposite directions for Sreceiving edge regions 6. Locating grooves 18 are shaped and sized relative to edge regions 6 so as to receive them with a S,,o neat sliding or interference fit. With this arrangement, unit o*o 12 is located on track 2 by longitudinally aligning locating grooves 18 with edge regions 6 and then moving unit 12 so that body 13 moves along guide slot 5 with edge regions 6 sliding *o* o o. along their respective locating grooves 18. Body 13 is slid along slot 5 until a final unit location is reached.

Unit support body 13 may be positively fixed at its final location along track 2. Fixing means (not shown) may be provided for that purpose. The fixing means may include one or more fasteners carried by body 13 and engageable with at least one track edge region 6 so as to interconnect support body 13 and track 2. In one preferred embodiment, the fasteners may be screws screwthreaded into body 13 and screwthreaded either into at least one track edge region 6 or at least pressing against that edge region 6.

Support body 13 is of a one piece, rigid construction.

Moreover, body 13 is generally shaped and sized for partial fitting within track passage 3 and general hiding behind track 2. Body 13 may also be shaped to facilitate adjacent fitting of travellers or other elements (not shown) of the support track assembly 1. In particular, body 13 may be shaped so as 39 to permit integration of a fixed traveller therewith. In one i. rL 6

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embodiment support body 13 is molded or otherwise formed from plastics material.

Unit 12 includes a plurality of guide pulleys 19, rotatably carried by support body 13 and about which draw cord 9 passes for guidance along cord paths 14. Moreover, those pulleys 19, 20 are arranged so that cord 9 is engaged and guided solely by pulleys as it passes through unit 12. In particular, cord 9 does not rub and is not otherwise drawn over fixed bearing surfaces or edges of the body 13 during that passage.

Guide pulleys 19, 20 are arranged so that cord 9 passes about at least two pulleys in succession as cord 9 moves along paths 14. Pulleys 19 are mounted so as to be immediately adjacent guide slot 5 and external of track 2, and are rotatable on horizontal axes. These axes extend co-axial of *o one another in this embodiment. Thus, these vertical pulleys 406: 19 transfer cord 9 between horizontal and vertical sections 15, 16 of cord paths 14.

Pulleys 20 are mounted inwardly of pulleys 19, relative to track 2, and are rotatable on vertical axes. These horizontal pulleys 20 guide cord 9 along horizontal path e* 99 S sections 15 through slot 5. Pulleys 20 also redirect cord 9 S between the longitudinal and transverse parts of horizontal path sections 15. Pulleys 20 are conveniently located so as t to extend within guide slot 5 when unit 12 is secured to track 2. Pulleys 20 have axes of rotation that are parallel to one another. Moreover, those pulleys 20 are transversely offset relative to each other and to the longitudinal axis of track 2 so that draw sectio.s 10 of cord 9 passing about pulleys are separated for unimpeded, relative movement.

Typically, in use pulley unit 12 will be located at or Wadjacent one (left or right hand) end of track 2. Pulley unit i 12, in one embodiment (not shown) is arranged so as to be locatable at or adjacent one specific track end only, i.e.

unit 12 is constructed as a left or right hand track end unit. In that embodiment, pulleys 19, 20 associated with each cord path 14 will be sufficient, cord 9 extending from track passage 3 about horizontal pulley 20 followed by the vertical 39 pulley 19 of each pulley pair.

KW -7 caPaacpaP- acrPlana~ However, in an alternative embodiment (as shown) unit 12 is arranged so as to be locatable at either track end. This arrangement would avoid the necessity for separate left and right hand end units 12. In this arrangement, pairs of pulleys 19, 20 are again associated with each cord path 14 but, in addition, further pulley 21 is provided. That pulley 21 is mounted horizontally adjacent horizontal pulleys 20 for rotation about a vertical axis so that one pulley 20 located between pulley 21 and remaining pulley 20 becomes a "common" guide pulley during use of unit 12. Depending or. the track end location of unit 12, draw cord 9 will extend from track passage 3 about both pulleys 20, or only common pulley 20 and pulley 21, followed by vertical pulleys 19. Thus, in this arrangement either pulley 21 or remaining pulley 20 will not be directly used in guiding draw cord 9. However, all pulleys t 20, 21 are positioned in a close array so that cord 9 passes closely therebetween and tends to be guided between pulleys oo. 20, 21.

S"o: Pulleys 19, 20, 21 are at least substantially housed within support body 13. Moreover, each pulley 19, 20, 21 is generally disc shaped with a circumferential edge face 22 over oo which draw cord 9 moves. That face 22 is circumferentially 0° grooved so as to receive and retain cord 9 as it moves about pulleys 19, 20, 21. Each groove may have a smooth bearing 0'i surface. Pulleys 19, 20, 21 are molded or otherwise formed from plastics material.

Pulleys 19, 20, 21 are rotatably mounted to support body 13 through axles 23. Axles 23 are integral with pulleys 19, 21 and rotatably mounted in bearing supports (not shown) provided on support body 13, or are separate from pulleys 19, 21 and fixed to support body 13, with pulleys 19, 20, 21 being rotatably mounted on axles 23.

'i "The pulley unit of the present invention guides the draw cord through the guide slot in the support track with minimal frictional resistance. As such, operation of the support track assembly incorporating the unit sho'ild not be noticably inhibited by cord resistance as it passes through the slot.

Indeed, it is expected that cord operation may be made easier 39 by this unit when compared to substitute arrangements.

KW 8i 3 The unit is relatively simple in construction and can be easily and quickly attached to a track during support track assembly installation. Thus, capital costs and costs of installation are expected to be commercially acceptable and favourable compared to alternative arrangements.

Finally, it is to be appreciated that various additions and/or modifications may be made to the pulley unit and curtain support track assembly without departing from the ambit of the present invention disclosed herein.

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Claims

1. A draw cord pulley unit for a curtain support track having a traveller guide slot extending longitudinally of a wall thereof, the pulley unit including: a support body mountable in the guide slot at a fixed location therealong, the body providing at least one cord path along which a curtain draw cord can extend for passage through the guide slot; and, at least one guide pulley rotatably carried by the support body and about which the cord passes for guidance 1o along the cord pach and through the guide slot.

2. A pulley unit as claimed in claim i, wherein the support body is mountable in the guide slot so as to extend both inwardly of and outwardly from the track wall and so that the or each cord path extends between locations within the track *Dee and externally clear of the track, thereby to prevent binding °04 of the draw cord with the track in the region of the pulley unit.

3. A pulley unit as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the .cord path has a section extending horizontally from within the track, through the slot, and a successive section extending vertically downwardly externally of the track, when the pulley unit is installed on the track.

4. A pulley unit as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the support body includes locating means cooperable with edge regions of the track wall between which the guide slot is defined in order to mount the support body in the guide slot. A pulley unit as claimed in claim 4, wherein the Slocating means acts to retain the support body against 3 movement laterally out of the guide slot but permits movement of the support body relative to the curtain support track along the guide slot.

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6. A pulley unit as claimed in claim 4 or 5, wherein the i locating means includes a pair of locating grooves provided on opposite sides of the support body, each groove being shaped and sized to slidably receive a respective edge region of the track wall.

7. A pulley unit as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein a pair of cord paths are provided, those cord paths extending 39 in parallel, spaced apart relation to one another. KW 10 I I

8. A pulley unit as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein a plurality of the guide pulleys are provided, the guide pulleys being arranged so that the draw cord is engaged and guided solely by the pulleys as the cord passes along the or each cord path.

9. A pulley unit as claimed in claim 8, wherein in at least two guide pulleys are positioned in succession along the or each cord path so that the draw cord passes about the guide pulleys in succession in moving along the cord path.

10. A pulley unit as claimed in claim 9, wherein at least one of the guide pulleys is located so as to be immediately adjacent the guide slot external of the track, and is rotatable on an axis which extends horizontally when the pulley unit is installed on the track. S

11. A pulley unit as claimed in claim 9 or 10, wherein at S least one of the guide pulleys is located so as to be in the guide slot or within the track and is rotatable on an axis which extends vertically when the pulley unit is installed on the track.

12. A pulley unit as claimed in claim 11, wherein a pair of cord paths are provided, those cord paths extending in parallel spaced apart relation to one another, and a total of three guide pulleys are located so as to be in the guide slot or within the track and rotatable on vertical axes, the cord paths extending about a selected two of those guide pulleys depending on a direction in which the draw cord extends relative to the pulley unit when the pulley unit is installed on the track.

13. A draw cord pulley unit substantially as hereinbefore 30 described with reference to what is shown in the accompanying drawings.

14. A curtain track assembly including: an elongate hollow track having a rear wall, a traveller guide slot formed through the rear wall and extending longitudinally thereof; and, a draw cord pulley unit as claimed in any preceding claim mounted within the guide slit adjacent one end thereof. A curtain track assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to what is shown in the accompanying 11 i-Zb 11 L I drawings. 1'i d kir DATED: 30 November, 1988 -P-----PSOPINE&- Z PATR~ICK. Attorneys for: -GLY-DE-I-NDUSTR-I-ES=LIMITED LI 4 -o f t# 4 4 3444E 12