A METHOD OF MAKING A BENT STIFF ROPE AND ARTICLES THEREOF

Abstract: A domestic article, for example a valet, a lamp foot, a curtain rod, or a curtain tie back is bent into shape from a straight and stiff but bendable rope. The rope is made up of a steel tube as a core around which a number of strands of hemp or the like are firmly twisted simultaneously with each strand being firmly twisted around itself. The ends of the strands are firmly fixed to the tube and because of the frictional interaction between the strands and the core, the rope will be stiffer than the core. The rope will be bendable and the tube will substantially maintain its cross section in the bends.

Description: A method of making a bent stiff rope and articles thereof. This invention relates to a method of making a bent stiff rope. Such a rope can be used in many ways. In particular, it can have various domestic use because of its versatility and its decorativeness. It can for example be used as a curtain rod, as a curtain tie back, and as a floor lamp. According to the invention, in principle, a number of strands are twisted by force around a metal core simultaneously with each strand being twisted by force so that there will be a frictional interaction between the strands and between the strands and the core, which makes the rope considerably stiffer than the core itself. The ends of the strands are then fixed to the core and when the rope is then bent, the strands do not slip on the core. It will also be possible to use a metal tube as a core since the interaction between the strands and between the strands and the core prevents the tube from collapsing, and the tube maintains substantially its cross section in the bend. It is an advantage to use a tube instead of a homogenous rod as a core since the rope will be lighter in weight and the spring back will be smaller. The invention has been given the characteristics defined in the claims. The invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Figure 1 shows a valet made in accordance with the invention. Figure 2 shows a lamp made in accordance with the invention. Figure 3 shows a lamp made in accordance with the invention. Figure 4 shows a window with a bent curtain rod made in accordance with the invention and curtain tie backs also made in accordance with the invention The valet shown in Figure 1 has been bent to form from a straight and stiff but bendable rope 10 that is made up of a steel tube as a core around which strands of hemp,sisal or the like have been firmly twisted simultaneously with each strand being firmly twisted around itself. Then, at each end, the rope was firmly tied with a thin and strong wire or tread, or the like, tightly wound around it before the strands were cut CONFIRMATION off. so that the strands cannot unwind about the core. Then, end pieces in the form of sleeves 11,12 were screwed onto the ends. These end sleeves may consist of a spring steel wire coil that forms a screw thread. By this arrangement, the strands will be firmly fixed to the steel tube core. The bending of the rope can be carried out by hand or in a machine without any risk of the tube collapsing. It maintains its cross section also in the shaφ bends as shown. The foot of the valet is formed by the rope itself. The lamp foot of a floor lamp shown in Figure 2 has been made in the same way as the valet in Figure 1. The upper end of the steel tube 14 (the core) of the rope 10 extends out of the upper end sleeve 12, and, suitably, this upper end of the tube 14 has a thread so that a lamp socket device can be screwed to the tube. The flex can extend through the rope. The lamp foot of the floor lamp shown in Figure 3 is made in the same way as the lamp foot shown in Figure 2, but its tube (core) has a thread at its lower end as well and it is screwed to a foot proper 15 in formed steel sheet. A lamp holder device 13 is shown screwed to the upper end of the tube 14. Figure 4 shows a bent curtain rod 10 made in the same way as the embodiments shown in Figures 1-3. The consumer buys a piece of straight rope of suitable length and bends it by hand to the desired form. Instead of the decorative end caps 1 1,12 shown in Figures 1-3, the ends of the strands may extend past the end of the tubular core and form decorative tassels 17,18 outside of the tread or the like that has been wound around the rope at 19,20 as previously described with reference to Figure 1. The tread may be of the same material as the strands. In Figure 4 are also shown two curtain tie backs or holders 21,22. They are also bent from a piece of straight rope. They have tassels at their visible ends and at their other ends, they have end sleeves adapted to be mounted to the wall, for example mounted by screws.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. A method of making a bent stiff rope, characterised by the steps of making a straight rope by twisting a number of strands by force around a metal core simultaneously with twisting each strand by force so that there will be frictional interaction between the strands and between the strands and the core, fixing the ends of the strands to the core, and bending the rope. 2. A method according to claim 1, characterised in that the strands are twisted around a steel tube so firmly that the tube does not collapse when being bent. 3. A method according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the rope is bent into a free-standing device that has a foot formed by the rope itself. 4. A method according to claim 3, characterised in that the rope is bent into a valet. 5. A method according to claim 2, characterised in that the rope is bent into lamp foot and the flexible cord is drawn through the tube. 6. A method according to claim 5; characterised in that the foot proper is formed by the rope itself. 7. A method according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the rope is bent into a curtain tie back. 8. A method according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the rope is bent into a curtain rod.

Inventors: SCHOERLING STEFAN, SCHOERLING, STEFAN
Applicants: SCHOERLING STEFAN, SCHOERLING, STEFAN
Application year: 1997
Main classification: D07B1
IPC codes: A47G25, A47H1, A47H19, D07B1, F21V21