US758919A - Device for holding spring-actuated curtains. - Google Patents

Description

No. 758,919. PATBNTED MAY 3, 1904.

I'. B. HOPEWELL.

DEVICE FOR HOLDING SPRING ACTUATED CURTAINS.

APPLIOATION FILED DBO. 1, 1902.

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UNTTED STATES Patented May 3, 1904.

FRANK B. HCPEVELL, OF CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS.

DEVICE FOR HOLDING SPRING-ACTUATED CURTAINS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 758,919, dated May 3, 1904.

Application filed December l., 1902. Serial No. 133.356. (No model.)

To all whom, it nuty concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK B. HoPnwELL, a citizen of the United States, residing at Cambridge, county of Suffolk, State of Massachusetts, have invented an Improvement in Devices for Holding Spring-Actuated Curtains, of which the following description, in connection with the accompanying'drawings, isa specification, like letters on the drawings representing like parts.

rlhis invention relates to an improvement in devices for holding spring-actuated curtains at different points of adjustment; and it consists in the construction and arrangement of parts hereinafter described, and defined by the several claims.

A leading feature of the invention consists yin the novel construction of means for releasing the friction of the heads of the fixture against the window-casing, whereby the curtain may be moved upward or downward and which is readily and naturally g'rasped by the operator. In this feature the invention is an improvement on the invention illustrated, described, and claimed in my prior application, Serial No. 128,408, filed October 23, 1902.

Another feature of the invention consists in the means whereby the entire mechanism inside of the curtain-rod may be readily and easily removed therefrom and replaced therein.

Further features of the invention consist in the general arrangement and combination of parts hereinafter specified.

rlhe drawings illustrate different embodiments of the features of the invention; but it is obvious that some of the features of the invention may be used in connection with other forms of apparatus and that changes may be made in the forms illustrated without avoiding the spirit of the invention. It is to be noted that while the form of head shown in my prior application above referred to is illustrated herein, yet the present invention is not confined to the use of such heads, and it is equally adapted for use with any form of head which cooperates with a longitudinally-movable rod inside of the hollow curtain-rod. Both the means herein described for releasing the friction of the heads against the window-casing and the means for allowing ready removal and replacement of the mechanism inside of the hollow curtain-rod are independent of the construction of the head and adapted for use with various forms of head.

Figure l is a front view of a window-casing with the curtain and fixtures in place. Fig. 2 illustrates, partly in vertical section, a portion of the curtain-rod with its inclosed parts and one head. Fig. 3 illustrates in vertical cross-section transverse to the curtainrod the means for releasing the friction between the heads and the window-casing. Fig. i is a rear View of the parts shown in crosssection in Fig'. 3, which are attached exteriorl y to the curtain-rod. Fig. 5 illustrates, partly in horizontal cross-section, the curtain-rod, head, fragment of window-casing, and the parts shown in Figs. 3 and 4. Fig. 6 illustrates in cross-section a modification or difl'erent form of the means for releasing the friction between the heads and the window-casing, although the same in general principle.

In Fig. l the outlines of the window-casing are shown with the walls B, wherein are formed the grooves wherein the heads of the curtain-fixture slide. The grooves are shown in cross-section in Fig. 5.

A represents a curtain, and C a spring-actuated curtain-roll of ordinary type.

D represents a curtain-rod, E the heads, and F the handheld by operation of which the friction between the heads and windowcasing is released in order to permit rolling and unrolling of the curtain.

The heads E are illustrated as of the form shown in my prior application above referred to, but, as previously stated, they may be of any form whatever and act upon any portion of the window-casing whatever, the present invention not being concerned with the construction of the head of the fixture. The head, as shown, is much elongated, is screwthreaded at c into the end of the curtain-rod, whereby the length between the two heads is capable of adjustment, comprises a side wall E, pivoted at c2 and having' a lug or projection @3, against which the spring-pressed rod G acts, and is also provided at its ends with antifriction-rolls E2.

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The mechanism in the interior of the hollow curtain-rod D consists, as usual, in fixtures of this type of longitudinal movable rods, springs for actuating them in one direction, and means for adjusting the tension of the springs. All these parts are mounted ina single frame S, removably attached to the hollow curtain-rod. As shown, this frame S consists of a piece of metal with depending bearing-lugs s2, also constituting abutments for the springs H and sufiiciently far apart to support and allow for the movement of the ends of the rods G. This frame S is shown as attached by a small screw s' to the upper interior surface of the hollow rod D. Thus by simply unscrewing the screw s from the exterior of the rod D the entire interior mechanism of the rod can be slipped out from one end, one of the heads having been previously unscrewed or removed from the end of the rod. l

In the preferred form of this invention the rods G are provided with end pieces m m, f1tting over the ends of the rods G and attached thereto in any suitable manner, as by the pins or screws m. These end pieces m are constructed with overlapping apertured projections in which the wedge-shaped projection of the handhold operates, and the walls of the apertures adjacent to .the wedge-shaped projection of the handhold are suitably inclined or curved, as illustrated in Fig. 5, to conform to the operating-surface of the wedge-shaped projection. One end piece is preferably provided with a guiding-tongue m3, sliding in the aperture of the other end piece. Thisconstruction of overlapping end pieces renders the interior mechanism of the curtain-rod strong and rm. The springs H hold the apertured overlapping end pieces at all times firmly against the wedge-shaped projection of the handhold, and this together with the contact of the overlapping end pieces between them-V selves produces a strong construction.

The handhold in the preferred forni of the invention comprises a curved plate O, fastened by any suitable means, as screws o, to the eX- terior of the hollow curtain-rod, both this plate and the curtain-rod being apertured to allow for the entrance of the wedge-shaped projection P. Attached to or integral with the plate O and projecting vertically above the same is a standard O. The wedge-shaped projection P is secured to a plate R, pivoted to the standard O at r and having its out- Ward movement limited by a bevel r onthe Standard O. rIhe pivoted plate is designed to be neatly finished and may be marked, as'

indicated in Fig. l, with the word Push The operation of the device is apparent. rlhe springs H, which always tend to force the rods Gr apart, at the same time cause the rods G, acting against the inclined surfaces of the wedge-shaped projections P, to throw the pivoted plate R outwardly. When it is desired to release the friction between the heads and the window-frames, by simply grasping the handhold F the pivoted plate R will be moved inwardly against the curtain, causing the Wedge-shaped projection P .to retract the rods Gr, or if the pivoted plate R is simply pushed by the operator the same result will follow.

The handhold thus described is equally adaptable to the operation of the rods G shown in my prior application, hereinbefore referred to, and in Fig. 6 it is illustrated in that connection. Here the pivoted plate Ris provided with oppositely-inclined projections P, which acting against pins or antifrictionrolls m2 effect in the same manner the operation of the rods G. In this modified form the end pieces of the rods may be brought quite closely together and the handhold reduced in size and correspondingly improved in appearance.

It will thus be seen that the handhold device of this invention is adapted to secure a firm, steady, and accurate movement of the rods inside the hollow. curtain-rod, since it always moves in the same path with perfect accuracy-and is incapable of slipping, twisting, or binding. No matter how hurriedly or in what manner the handhold of this invention is grasped by the person desiringto raise or 'lower the curtain it is sure to be moved in the right manner to retract the rods and release the friction between the heads and the window-casing, thus allowing easy movement of the curtain.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Pat-V ent, is-

1. A curtain-holding device, comprising a hollow curtain-rod, heads located at each end of said rod, means for causing friction between said heads and the window-casing, comprising a spring-pressed rod located within the hollow curtain-rod, a frame detachably secured to the interior of the hollow curtainrod and carrying the spring-pressed rod, whereby upon the detachment of the said frame the frame and rod may be removed from the hollow curtain-rod.

2. A curtain-holding device, comprising a hollow curtain-rod, heads located at each end of said rod, means for causing friction between the windowcasing and said heads, comprising a plurality of rods located within the hollow curtain-rod, a frame for supporting and carrying said rods, located within and detachably secured to said hollow curtain-rod,

whereby upon the detachment of the frame the interior mechanism of the hollow curtainrod majT be removed therefrom intact.

3. A curtain-holding device, comprising a hollow curtain-rod, heads located at each end of said rod, means for causing friction between the window-casing and said heads, comprising a plurality of rods located within the hollow curtain-rod, a frame for supporting IOO IIO

and carrying said rods, located within and detachably secured to said hollow curtain-rod, springs surrounding' said rods and abutting' against said frame, whereby upon the detachment of the frame the interior mechanism of the hollow curtain-rod may be removed therefrom intact.

et. A curtain-holding' device, comprising a hollow curtain-rod, heads located at each end thereof, and means for causing friction between said heads and the window-casing, comprising' long'itudinally-movable spring-actuated rods. a frame detachably secured to the interior of the hollow curtain-rod and provided with downturned ends constituting' bearings and supports for the longitudinally-movable rods, whereby upon the detachment of the frame the interior mechanism of the cm'-V tain-rod may be removed intact therefrom.

5. A curtain-holding' device, comprising a hollow curtain-rod, heads located at each end of said rod, mechanism for operating' said heads to cause friction between the same and the window-casing', a frame detachably secured to the interior of the saidcurtain-rod, and supporting' and carrying' the said mechanism, whereby upon detachment of the frame the entire interior mechanism of the curtain-rod may be removed therefrom intact.

6. A ci'xrtain-holding device, comprising a hollow curtain-rod, heads attached to each end of said rod, each head having' a pivoted side portion, long'itudinally-movable, spring-actuated rods located in said curtain-rod and pressing against said pivoted portions, a handhold having' a horizontally-pivoted plate provided with inclined surfaces adapted to act against said longitudinally-movable rods and retract the same.

7. A curtain-holding' device, comprising a hollow curtain-rod, heads attached to each end of said rod, each head having a pivoted side portion, long'itudinally-movable, spring-actuated rods located in said curtain-rod and pressing against said pivoted portions, a handhold provided with a horizontally-pivoted plate having op posi tel yincl ined projecting surfaces acting against said rods, whereby they may be retracted.

8. A curtain-holding device, comprising' a hollow curtain-rod, heads mounted at each end thereof, means for pressing said heads against the window-casing, comprising spring-actu ated rods mounted in said curtain-rod, overlapping apertured end pieces secured to said rods, a handhold provided with a plate mounted to move transversely in said curtain-rod, and provided with a wedge-shaped projection acting' through the apertures of said overlapping' end pieces whereby said rods may be retracted.

9. A curtain-holding' device, comprising a hollow curtain-rod, heads mounted at each end thereof, means for pressing' said heads against the window-casing', comprising spring-actuated rods mounted in said curtain-rods, overlapping' apertured end pieces secured to said rods, a handhold provided with a horizontally-pivoted plate having' a wedge-shaped projection acting through the apertures of said overlapping end pieces whereby said rods may be retracted.

10. A handhold for a curtain-holding' lixture of the character described, comprising' a plate for attachment to a curtain-rod, a standard connected with said plate, a second plate pivoted to said standard and provided with oppositely-inclined surfaces projecting' transversely thereto, means for limiting' the swing'- ing of said pivoted plate in both directions.

11. A handhold forcurtain-holding'fixtures of the character described, comprising' a plate for attachment to the curtain-rod, a standard connected with said plate, a second plate pivoted to said standard and provided with a transverse wedge-shaped projection, means for limiting' the swinging' of said plate in both directions.

12. A handhold for a curtain-holding' device of the character described, comprising' an apertured plate for attachment tothe curtainrod, a standard attached thereto, a second plate pivoted to said standard and provided with a transverse wedge-shaped projection operating through said aperture, means for limiting the movement of said pivoted plate in both directions.

In testimony whereofl I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

FRANK B. HOPEWVELL. lVitnesses:

NATHAN HEARD, MABEL PARTELOW.

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