Improvements in Rings or Runners for Curtain Poles.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 7th Aug., 1895
Complete Specification Left, 7th May, 1896-Accepted, 13th June, 1826
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Rings or Runners for Curtain Poles.
We ROBERT HODGES BISHOP of 257 High Holborn in the County of London,
Manufacturer's Agent and WILLIAM DOWN of 28 Archway Road, Highgate in
the County of Middlesex, Draughtsman do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows:-
The ordinary rings at present used with curtain poles have been found defective
(especially when used to support heavy curtains) on account of the difficulty in
sliding the rings along the pole when drawing the curtains owing to the friction
between the contact surfaces of the ring and pole.
The object of this invention is to overcome this difficulty and to cause the rings
to travel smoothly and without friction along the pole.
In carrying out our invention we take two ordinary wood curtain rings and cut
away a portion of the upper part of each ring leaving a gap of about one inch wide
having parallel sides. Into the gap of each ring we fit a roller turned to such a
form as to preserve the outline of the inside of the rings. The axles of the rollers
may be secured to the rings either by inserting them in holes bored through the
rings on each side of the rollers or by rivetting the axles to suitable metal
attachments which are afterwards screwed to the rings.
The two rings thus fitted with rollers we then couple rigidly together either by
wires or other suitable means, leaving a space between the rings of about 2 or
3 inches. These coupled rings are then placed on the pole with a suitable number
of single rings fitted with rollers as above described (or with ordinary rings if so
desired) and when so placed will resemble the rings at present in use but will
possess this advantage viz. that the coupled rings serving to keep the other rings
parallel will cause them to travel smoothly along the pole instead of with much
friction as heretofore.
This invention is equally applicable to the ordinary metal curtain rings at
present in use.
The same result can be obtained by using a single ordinary ring and mounting
rollers on each side of the ring, top and bottom, the rings being carried by suitable
metal attachments.
For operating heavy curtains such as those used in panoramic views and other
theatrical displays this contrivance will be found invaluable.
Dated this 7th day of August 1895.
ROBERT H. BISHOP.
WILLIAM DOWN.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Rings or Runners for Curtain Poles.
We ROBERT HODGES BISHOP of 257 High Holborn, in the County of London,
Manufacturer's Agent, and WILLIAM DOWN of 28 Archway Road, Highgate in
the County of Middlesex, Draughtsman, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
-
The ordinary rings at present used with curtain poles have been found defective
(especially when used to support heavy curtains), on account of the difficulty in
1

page_text: gliding them along the pole, when drawing the curtains, due to the friction caused
by the tilting of the rings on the pole.
Now the object of this invention is to overcome this difficulty of tilting and
ensure the smooth travel of the rings or runners along the pole.
The mode of carrying out our invention admits of many modifications, but in all
the same principle of construction is retained, namely, the securing of a broad base,
consisting of two rolling surfaces for supporting the runner in its normal position
on the pole.
In the accompanying drawings we have shewn several forms of runner embodying
our invention.
Fig. 1 shews, in end elevation, our improved antifriction runner; and
Fig. 2 shews, in front view, two runners mounted on a curtain pole, and carrying
a curtain.
The runner shewn in these figures consists of two ordinary wooden curtain
rings a a, the upper portions of which are cut away to provide a space for the
insertion of a pair of supporting antifriction rollers bb. These rollers are
turned to such a contour as to conform to the inner periphery of the rings, and
they are fitted with fixed axles which have their bearings in the severed ends of the
rings.
The two rings thus fitted with rollers, and furnished with the usual eyes for
receiving the curtain hooks, are coupled together by inserting between them a
cylinder c of papier maché, or, it may be, metal, the ends of which are inserted in
annular grooves turned in the adjaccent sides of the two rings, as illustrated in the
sectional diagram Fig. 2ª.
By this mode of constructing runners, a broad antifriction support is provided,
which will prevent the possibility of a sudden jerk from an attached cord tipping
the runner, and causing it to grip the pole, as is now the case with ordinary curtain
rings.
Moreover, the diameter of these runners will more closely assimilate to the pole
to which they are to be applied than has hitherto been possible with curtain rings
as ordinarily constructed.
An incidental advantage of forming the runners with a cylindrical coupling piece
is, that they admit of decoration by covering their cylindrical portion with some
ornamental fabric, as silk or velvet.
Fig. 3 shews, in side elevation, a single runner of the new type combined with
ordinary curtain rings, the same being connected together by a cord d, secured to
eyes e at the top of the rings.
This combination has been found to answer fairly well, by reason of the double-
ring runner serving to keep the ordinary rings parallel while travelling over the
curtain pole.
Instead of a cylinder for connecting the antifriction roller rings together, they
may be secured by pins, as illustrated at Fig. 4. This is a somewhat cheaper
mode of attachment than that illustrated at Figs. 1 and 2.
A further modification of the mode of attaching the rings together is illustrated
at Fig. 5. This attachment consists of a pair of hinged joints, composed of over-
lapping plates f,f, screwed to the rings, and pivotted to each other. A material
advantage resulting from this mode of constructing the runners, is the facility afforded
for running smoothly over bent curtain rods, such as those applied to bay windows,
the coupled rings, under the drag of the curtain cord, converging towards the
centre of the curve or curves in the rod.
It will be obvious that our improved runner, whether formed from wood, metal,
or other suitable substance, may be made in one piece, if thought desirable. This
mode of manufacture is illustrated at Fig. 6, where the runner, taking the
appearance of two joined up rings, is turned out of one piece of wood. This
figure also illustrates a facile mode of mounting the antifriction rollers, which have
their bearings in lugs formed out of a piece of sheet metal secured at its extremities
by screws or rivets to the runner.

page_text: Fig. 6 shows this support for the rollers detached from the-runner.
Figs. 7 and 8 show a runner formed from a cylinder of thin sheet metal. The
ends of the cylinder are moulded into hollow beads, to present the appearance of
rings, and give stiffness to the metal.
A portion of these beads or rings is cut away to receive the antifriction rollers,.
which are preferably made of wood, or some other suitable non-metallic substance,
to enable them to run noiselessly over the curtain pole.
By constructing the runner of metal, an incidental advantage is obtained, which
we propose, in some cases, to utilize. That is, the fitting of the runners on
to the rod or pole, and removing them therefrom, while the rod or pole is in.
place.
For this purpose, having constructed the runner as illustrated at Figs. 7 and 8,
we cut it through as indicated by the line 1, 1, of Fig. 7, and open out the runner-
to an extent sufficient to allow it to be passed laterally over the curtain pole, as
shown in Figs. 9 and 10.
In this case, the diameter of the original cylinder may be somewhat reduced, as.
the shaping of it into a hook or hanger will virtually increase its diameter to a
considerable extent.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said.
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what
we claim is :-
Constincting curtain rings or runners with antifriction rollers so arranged as to
provide a broad support for the runners, and prevent their tipping and gripping the
pole when drawing the curtain forward or backward.
Deted this 7th der of Ma 1806
NEWTON & SON,
Agents for the Applicants.