Improvements in and relating to Portier Curtain Rods.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 29th Sept., 1893
Complete Specification Left, 29th June, 1894-Accepted, 4th Aug., 1394]
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Portier Curtain Rods.
GEORGE CHISHOLM Junior 76 Port Street Stirling N.B. Plumber do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My invention consists of improvements in the construction of that description of
curtain rod known as portier rods, which is attached to doors and similar situations
and so arranged that the action of opening & closing the door allows the curtain to
rise & fall.
To carry out the purpose or objects above mentioned I employ a pair of brackets
fixed near top of door. One or both brackets may be actuated by a spring
contained within a box or case. This box or case which is fixed near the top of
door forms the base of bracket. A spindle revolves in the box or case and to this
spindle the spring is attached by means of a square formed upon the spindle. To
the outer or extreme end of the spindle a lever or arm is fixed at right angles to
this lever supports the curtain rod by means of a forked end or shears. A
pin passes through the said shears and curtain rod thus forming a pivot on which
the rod moves.
same,
To one of the above mentioned brackets and at a point near the spindle end of
lever is fixed a ring or hook to which is fastened a chain.
This chain is fixed to the architrave or door post.
The chain is of such a length that the action of closing the door pulls the lever
down into a horizontal position, the action of opening the door slackens the chain
thus allowing the spring to revolve the spindle and carry the lever into a vertical
position.
In place of a spring I may extend the lever beyond the spindle and attach a
weight to same sufficient to raise the curtain & rod when the door is opened.
The action of closing the door being similar to that already described in
connection with the spring action.
At each end of curtain rod already described I form small plates or brackets to
support and carry valance rod in front of curtain rod.
Dated this 28th day of September 1893.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Portier Curtain Rods.
1, GEORGE CHISHOLM Junior 76 Port Street in the Town and County of
Stirling North Britain Plumber, 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 :-
My invention consists of improvements in the construction of that description of
curtain rod known as a portier rod which is attached to doors and similar situations
and so arranged that the action of opening and closing the door allows the curtain
to rise and fall; this being the purpose of my invention.
To carry out the purpose on objects above mentioned I employ a pair of brackets
fixed near the top of a door. One or both brackets may be actuated by a spring
contained within a box or case. This box or case which is fixed near the top of
the door forms the base of the bracket. A spindle revolves in the box or case and
C

page_text: to this spindle the spring is attached by means of a square formed upon the spindle.
To the outer or extreme end of the spindle a lever or arm is fixed at right angles to
This lever supports the curtain rod by means of a forked end or sheers,
a pin passes through the said sheers' and curtain rod thus forming a pivot on which
the rod moves.
same.
To one of the above mentioned brackets and at a point near the spindle end of
the lever a hook or ring is fixed to which is fastened a chain this chain is fixed to
the architrave or door post.
The action of closing the door tightens the chain and pulls the lever down into
a horizontal position the action of opening the door loosens the chain thus allowing
the spring to revolve the spindle and carry the lever into a vertical position.
In place of a spring I may extend the lever beyond the spindle and attach a
weight sufficient to raise the curtain when the door is opened. The action of
closing the door being similar to that already described in connection with the
spring action.
At each end of the curtain rod already described I form small plates or brackets
to support and carry a valance red in front of curtain rod.
My invention will be better understood if reference is made to the accompanying
drawings in which
Figure 1 is a front view in elevation of my improved portier rod fixed in position
upon a closed door.
Figure 2 is a side view in elevation of the same rod and closed door.
Figure 3 is a side view in elevation of the same subjects when the door is
opened.
Figures and 5 are sectional views shewing the internal construction of the
spring box and its associate parts.
Figure 6 is a front view shewing my improved portier rod with duplicate rod
attached thereto to carry a valance.
Figure 7 is a view of a springless bracket with curtain and valance rods.
Figure 8 is a view shewing a modification of my spring bracket for portier rod.
Figure 9 is a view of a weighted lever or bracket.
In these illustrations the portier rods are marked A, the brackets B the spring
box C, the spindles D, the connecting chain E, the crutch F, and other minor parts
are distinctly indicated.
The normal position of each bracket and box is shewn in Fig. 3, where the
brackets B are in upright attitudes and the rod A. is elevated upon and by them,
thus adapting them for raising any curtain which may be attached to or suspended
from the rod. The door upon which the bracket boxes are fixed is, in this
illustration, open. When the door is closed a strain is imparted to the chain E
which holds back the bracket B' causing it and the spindle D' to rotate thereby
tightening the spring C¹ and at the same time draws down the rod A and through
it operates the bracket B. In the position just described the rod A is held down
by means of the chain E and then any curtain which it carries attains its lowest
position. On opening the door the springs are released from their tension and
rotate the spindles D and brackets B until the latter, rising erect raises the rod A
attached thereto as before described, into the position shewn in Fig. 3..
chain E is attached to the bracket B' on that side of the door which is nearest to
its hinges and as the chained bracket B' is drawn down from a perpendicular into an
horizontal position by the closing of the door a simultaneous motion is imparted to
the other bracket B (or 6 Fig. 6 as the case may be) and the rod A descends
horizontally until it attains its lowest position when the door is closed.
The
The spindle D¹ is fitted within seats formed in the box C and the spring C¹ which
is of any suitable kind or form unites the spindle to the box so that, the box being
rigidly fixed to the door, the rotation of the spindle D' serves to impart a strain to
the spring.
The spring may be fitted into or upon the spindle in any convenient or ordinary
manner.

page_text: The rod A is united to the brackets B, B' Figure 9 or 65 either by means of the
pin 6 and sheers or crutch F or other equivalent devices, provided that sufficient
liberty is allowed for the parts to work freely.
As a modification of the spring lever or bracket B above described I sometimes
make it in the form shewn in Figure 8 which represents a bracket, spring and
spindle all in one piece; consisting of a volute spring C* fitted firmly into a stud or
base which is to be attached to the door, c^.
The volute spring c is extended upwards suitably for supporting the rod A
which is united to it in the manner shewn at a Fig. 8 or by any other simple
means. This volute spring is enclosed or covered by a box or plate when
required.
One spring bracket B₁ and one springless bracket are used together, with
either the rod A alone or with the curtain rod A. and valance rod a' conjointly as
shewn in Figs. 6 and 7 when it is found necessary or desirable. The plates a*
Figures 6 and 7 unite the curtain rod A and valance rod a' together.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
First. In a portier rod A, the combination therewith of one or more spring
levers or brackets B or B' all substantially as herein described and drawn or any
mere modification thereof for the purposes specified.
Second. In a portier rod A the combination therewith of the lever or bracket B,
spring C, spindle D and chain E all substantially as herein described and drawn or
any mere modification thereof for the purposes specified.
Third. In a portier rod A the combination therewith of a lever or bracket B
controlled and actuated by means of a spring all substantially as herein described
and drawn or any mere modification thereof for the purposes specified.
Fourth. In a portier rod A the combination therewith of a spring bracket
constructed and operated substantially as herein described with reference to
Figure 8 or any mere modification thereof for the purposes specified.
Fifth. In a portier rod A and supporting brackets the combination therewith of
the chain E or its equivalent as and for the purposes specified.
Sixth. In a portier rod A the combination therewith of a weighted lever or
bracket B and spindle D constructed and operated substantially as herein described
with reference to Figure 9 or any mere modification thereof for the purposes
specified.
Dated this 28th day of June 1894.
JOSEPH LOCKWOOD,
263, Argyle Street, Glasgow, Agent for the Applicant.