[0001] The present invention relates to a device for hanging and guiding curtains, in particular
blinds, in other words curtains which fold up to form a series of transverse folds
controlled by means of strings or cords extending vertically and associated with the
different horizontal strips of said curtains. When said strings or cords are operated
the successive folding of the different segments is produced, the whole of the blind
finally being collected in the upper part and the opening in which they are positioned
being exposed. The reverse movement is performed to close the curtain, in which case
the different segments are unfolded vertically until the front of the opening is closed.
[0002] At present fixing of the supporting and guiding unit of these curtains to the upper
front part of the opening to be controlled is performed by means of a base fixed to
said upper vertical region of the opening and carrying one of the components of a
fixing device for insertion of hooks in loops of the type known commercially as Velcro
(registered trademark). However, these systems have a number of drawbacks owing to
the relatively reduced stability of the fixing method and to the relatively high costs
of such a system for fixing the curtain.
[0003] To resolve the drawbacks mentioned above the inventor of the present invention carried
out investigations and tests resulting in the achievement of the present invention
which allows very simple and economical connection of the curtain of the blind type
to a support of substantially circular shape and made from extruded material. For
this purpose connecting supports are arranged on the wall in a region situated above
the opening to be controlled, which supports receive at one end, by screwing, pressure-fitting
or other systems, an extruded tubular element with a back aperture for receiving the
above-mentioned supports and a further front aperture, of which the cross-section
mates with a rod surrounded by the curtain and allowing fixing thereof under the pressure
inside said slot. In particular, it is envisaged that the aperture of the tubular
element will be substantially rectangular in cross-section and similarly that the
blind will be hung by means of a plate substantially mating therewith, allowing easy
introduction of the blind into the tubular element for hanging thereof.
[0004] Drawings of an embodiment of the present invention follow by way of non-limiting
example for the purpose of understanding.
[0005] Fig. 1 is a cross-section showing one of the supports for fixing to the wall and
the tubular element for hanging of the curtain.
[0006] Fig. 2 is a plan view corresponding to Fig. 1.
[0007] Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the tubular element with a curtain hung therein.
[0008] Fig. 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 are different dihedral views and a longitudinal section through
one of the supports for hanging of the tubular element carrying the curtain according
to the present invention.
[0009] Fig. 9 shows a tubular element and curtain in accordance with the present invention
with conventional operating devices.
[0010] As can be seen in the figures, the present invention comprises a tubular element
1 which in the figure has a substantially circular shape in cross-section although
it could be of a different type without altering the present invention, said tubular
element preferably being produced from an extruded synthetic material or aluminium
obtained in the same manner, with an internal partition 2 forming a compartment 3
for suspension of the tubular element, which compartment is limited at its upper part
and at its lower part by respective dividing members 4 and 5 for connection of supports
6 fixed to the wall 7 by means of screws or other similar means 8.
[0011] The tubular element 1 has a second compartment in its lower part, indicated by the
numeral 9 and mating with the one rod or plate 10 over which one end of the curtain
11 is incorporated.
[0012] The shape of the enclosure 9 can vary, the case being shown in which its structure
is substantially rectangular corresponding to that of the rod 10 with a substantially
mating shape. In the illustrated case the enclosure 9 is slightly inclined with respect
to the horizontal. However, said aperture can take other shapes with the sole condition
that the cross-sectional shape of the rod or plate for suspension of the blind 11
has to mate substantially with that of the aperture 9.
[0013] Assembly of the blind is considerably facilitated by means of this arrangement of
elements, as it is sufficient for this purpose for the rod 10 to be introduced at
one end of the aperture 9 and slid under pressure until it is completely in position.
[0014] This device may be combined with rolling and restraining devices 12 for the strings
or cords intended for operation of the curtain, as shown schematically in Fig. 9 by
the numeral 13.
[0015] Connection of the tubular element 1 to the support or supports 6 may be achieved,
as can be seen in Fig. 1, by means of small enlargements in the form of projections
14 and 15 caught by the dividing members 4 and 5 when the support 6 abuts against
the partition 2. As will be understood the manner of connecting the tubular element
1 to the support 6 may be achieved in many other known ways, for example by means
of the screws 16, Fig. 9, fixing of the support 17 in the tubular element 1 etc.
[0016] As is understood, assembly of curtains of the blind type is considerably facilitated
by means of the design of the present invention, the means used also being substantially
economical.
1. Device for hanging and guiding curtains, characterised in that it comprises a tubular element equipped with a longitudinal aperture for connecting
the ends of the fixing supports to a vertical surface and a second front aperture
likewise extending in a longitudinal manner along the tubular element and the cross-section
of which substantially mates with a rod or plate surrounded by the material of the
blind hung therein after its introduction into said longitudinal aperture of the tubular
element from one end.
2. Device for hanging and guiding curtains according to claim 1, characterised in that the cross-section of the receiving cavity of the blind is substantially rectangular,
mating with a substantially rectangular plate surrounded by the material of the blind
and joined with a certain pressure to the interior of said tubular element cavity.
3. Device for hanging and guiding curtains according to claim 2, characterised in that the substantially rectangular structure of the receiving aperture for the blind is
inclined with respect to the horizontal.
4. Device for hanging and guiding curtains according to claim 1, characterised in that the tubular element supports are incorporated for retention of respective stops in
the form of respective end claws coinciding in the interior of the respective upper
and lower dividing member of the corresponding aperture of the tubular element, while
the end of the fixing support abuts against an internal wall of the respective tubular
element.
5. Device for hanging and guiding curtains according to claim 1, characterised in that the tubular element is created by extruding a light alloy.
6. Device for hanging and guiding curtains according to claim 1, characterised in that the tubular element is created by extruding a thermoplastic material.