US1750444A - Curtain track - Google Patents

Description

INVENTOR.

2 m f V9140! ATTORNEYS.

E. J. VALLEN CURTAIN TRACK Filed Jan. 7, 1928 March 11, 1930.

Patented Mar. 11, 1930 PATENT QFFICE EARL J. VALLEN, OF AKRON, OHIO CURTAIN TRACK Application filed January 7, 1928.

This invention relates to curtain tracks, for use in theatres, auditoriums, etc.

The general purpose of the invention is to provide an improved, noiseless track which is constructed to facilitate trimming of the curtain and is capable of easy and inexpensive installation.

Particularly the invention has for one object the provision of a fire proof track, preferably of steel or the like and traveling hangers constructed for noiseless operation along said track.

Another object of the invention is to provide improved means for mounting the track.

Another object of the invention is to provide a track adjustable to facilitate trimming the curtain.

A further object is to provide in combination with the track, noiseless curtain operating mechanism.

The foregoing and other objects are obtained by the curtain track shown in the accompanying drawings and described below. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the particular form thereof shown and described and that features disclosed but not claimed herein are claimed in a copending application Serial No. 279,780,

filed May 22, 1928.

Of the accompanying drawings,

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a track installation embodying the invention;

Figure 2 is a part plan of the track illustrating the adjustable lap construction:

Figure 3 is a section on line 33 of Fig ure 2;

Figure 4 is a detail side elevation of a portion of the track showing the master hanger thereon;

Figure 5 is a left end elevation thereof;

Figure 6 is a detail side elevation of a portion of the track showing the construction of the remainder of the hangers;

Figure 7 is a left end elevation thereof;

45 Figure 8 is a section through the single pulley block mounted at the left end of the track as shown in Figure 1; and

Figure 9 is a section through the double pulley block mounted at the other end of the 50 track.

Serial No. 245,160.

Referring to the drawings, the numeral 10 designates a curtain track rail of steel or other suitable material made up in two sections 10 and 10 with a central lapped connection at 10 when it is used for mounting a double curtain as shown.

The track rail is supported on two parts brackets 11, 11 embracing the rail and slidable thereon to adjusted positions and arranged to be tightened thereon by bolts 12, 12. Three part brackets 13 are employed between the overlapped portions 10 of the rail sections, these brackets including a central supporting and spacer member 13 shaped to embrace the under surfaces of the rail and to which is secured side bracket members 13 13 embracing the upper portions of the rail sections, the parts of brackets 13 being bolted together at 13. Bolts 14 are extended through adjacent rail section ends and brackets 13 respectively on each of said ends additionally to secure the brackets thereto, to provide stops for the master curtain hangers and also to provide eyes 14 through which the ope-rating cable may be extended. The construction of brackets 13 and these connections to the adjacent rail ends permit easy adjustment of the lap by loosening of bolts 13 and telescoping the sections to increase or decrease the lap. The end brackets 11 are provided with bolts 14 acting as end stops.

Both brackets 11 and 13 are formed with eyes indicated at 15, 15, by which the rail may be suspended either from stage grids or ceilings by lines as shown and also with 35 bolt holes indicated at 16, 16 wherebythe track may be anchored against the ceiling or on brackets at the rear of the proscenium arch, adj ustability of brackets 11 permitting lining these up on the track with ceiling or other supports. The rail 10 is formed with a race way 20 in which the curtain hangers travel. These hangers include in the particular form shown, master hangers 21 21 and the auxiliary or spacer hangers 22, 22. 95

The master hangers 21 include brackets 21 on which are journaled a pair of rollers 21, 21 rollers 21 being formed of suitable, comparatively stiff, tough, resilient material, such as a semi-hard vulcanized rubber which 100 is noiselessly operable over the race way and requires no lubrication. he master hangers are secured to operating cable 23 by U-bolts indicated at 2st, 2 land have suspended thereon curtain trimming chains 25.

The auxiliary, or spacer hangers 22 are supported on the race way by single rollers 22 journaled thereon and which are similar to rollers 21 These hangers are also provided with curtain trimming chains illustrated at 26, 26.

Cable 23 is threaded through eyes 22", 22 in hangers 22, preferably through rubber or rubber and fabric tubes 22, 22 mounted therein and of such length as to act as shock absorbing spacers between the hangers preventing the clicking of the hangers together during operation thereof,

The curtain operating cable 23 is trained over a double pulley block 27 secured to one hanger 11 at one end of the track, and over a. single pulley block 28 secured to a hanger 11 at the other end of the track, in both blocks the pulleys being mounted on journal pins 29 having suitable, noiseless, non-friction bushings 29", 29 thereon, hard maple bushings boiled in oil to be self-lubricating being suitable for this purpose. Fiber washers are provided between the pulleys or pulley and block housing.

The track is illustrated in Figure 1 suspended upon cables 81, 32 and 33, cables 31 and 33 being connected in the eyes of brackets 11 at the ends of the track and cable 32 by branch, flexible tension members 32, 32 to the eyes in brackets 13.

It will appear from the foregoing description that the track is easily installed in a number of different ways and that it is capable of easy and effective operation in a noiseless manner. In installing the track the central lap of the curtain may be adjusted as desired and the track can beadjusted accurately to length, either by adjusting the lap or by adjustment of the end brackets 11 to the desired length and then cutting off the portion of the rail extending beyond an end bracket 11.

hat is claimed is:

1. In an adjustable sectional curtain track construction, a supporting bracket for securing the track sections in lapped relation, said bracket including a central member extending between the sections and embracing the under surfaces of the track sections, said central member extending above the track sections, and side members adapted to be secured with their backs to the central member and each embracing the upper portion of a track section, and a bolt extended through the side and central members to secure the bracket members together.

2. In an adjustable sectional curtain track construction, a supporting bracket for securing the track sections in lapped relation, said bracket including a central member extending between the sections and embracing the under surfaces of the track sections, and side members adapted to be secured with their backs to the central member and each embracing the upper portion of a track section, and means for securing the bracket members together.

3. In an adjustable sectional curtain track construction, a supporting bracket for securing the track sections in lapped relation, said bracket including a central member extending between the section and embracing adjacent surfaces of the track sections, and side members adapted to be secured with their backs to the central member and each embracing a surface of a track section opposite to the surfaces embraced by the central member.

EARL J. VALLEN.

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