Year: 1885

page_text: I ALFRED JULIUS BOULT of 323 High Holborn in the County of Middlesex,
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention (a communication from
David Strasser and Andrew Hubert Gerdom of Albany, New York, United States
of America,) and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in bottom bar
fixtures, especially adapted for use in connection with window shades or curtains;
but in part applicable also to other articles, as bannerets, wall screens, hanging.
maps, and the like.
Referring to the accompanying drawings, illustrative of the invention,
Figure 1 represents in perspective the main portion of this improved bar attached
to a curtain or other like fabric.
.
Figure 2 represents in elevation a partial section of one form of this proposed
end caps.
Figure 3 represents a plan view of the same, partially broken away.
Figures 4 and 5 represent respectively like views of a modification of the end.
cap shown in figures 2 and 3.
Figure 6 represents a vertical central section, slightly enlarged, of the bar shown
in figure 1, and illustrates the manner of attaching said bar to the hanging fabric.
Figure 7 represents in cross section a modification of the bar.
Figures 8, 9, and 10 represent similar views to that of figure 6, of modifications
of the construction and mode of clamping shown in said latter figure.
Figure 11 represents in cross section a similar construction to that shown in
figure 9, the bottom bar sections or parts being shown as separated before being
sprung or slid into position.
Figures 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16 represent respectively full views, partly broken
away, of the construction shown in figures 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11.

page_text: proposed pendant-ring attachment.
Figures 18, 19, 20, 21 and 22 represent perspective views of various modifications
of an encircling band adapted to surround the bar and support the pendant ring.
Figure 23 represents a plan view of a blank for a further modification of the
band.
Figure 24 represents in elevation a curtain or shade of the kind used for high
windows, said shade being provided with a bottom bar made in accordance with my
invention.
Figure 25 is an end view of the same, and Figure 26 a cross section upon the
line 26-
---
- 26. .
Figure 27 represents in elevation a curtain or the like provided with a three-part
bottom bar adapted to fit various widths of fabric.
Figures 28 and 29 are respectively cross sections of the same upon the lines
28 - 28 and 29 -
---
----
29.
.
Similar letters indicate similar parts throughout the several views.
A indicates a curtain or other fabric, to which the bottom bar is attached. In
the form illustrated in figures 1 and 6, the bottom bar is composed of one or more
longitudinal pieces B, B₁, of sheet metal or other substance having resilient
properties when shaped in the manner shown.
These pieces are preferably made of metal, the piece B, being provided with the
longitudinal flanges C C and the piece B₁, with the inwardly projecting bent
flanges D D¹.
The curtain fabric is clamped or fastened between the two pieces B B¹ of the
bottom bar, by placing such fabric loosely upon one of the pieces and either
springing the other over the first, which we deem preferable, or by inserting the end
of one within the end of the other, and sliding them upon each other until they form
together a complete cylinder or other appropriate design. In either manner of
clamping the bar upon the curtain, the two occupy the relative positions shown in
figures 1 and 6, the fabric being clamped between the flanges B and B¹ as therein
illustrated.
The curtain fringe G, extends below the bottom bar, contributing to the
- ornamental effect.
In figures 9 and 11, 14 and 16, we have shown slight modifications of the
construction of the clamping flanges, longitudinal lips H H¹ being added to the
flanges D D, and bent at such an angle that when the two pieces B2, B3, are sprung
or slid together over the curtain fabric, said lips shall exercise an additional
clamping action upon the same, forcing it against the interior surface of the
piece B¹.
In the construction shown in figures 8 and 13, the parts B and B are exact
counterparts of each other, each having a straight, and a curved flange, as shown.
Both pieces may accordingly be made with a single die. The curtain is clamped
between them in the manner illustrated.
In figures 10 and 15, the straight flanges of the pieces B7 extend inwardly such
a distance as to render it impracticable to spring them over the joined flanges of
the piece B8. In this instance therefore it is necessary to slide the pieces to place
as already described.
In figures 7 and 12, the entire bar is made from a single piece D, so shaped that
the curtain shall be clamped between the flanges H, and g, the two being sprung
together after the insertion of the curtain edge between them. In this case, the
lower edge of the curtain will be contained within the bar. The bar may also be
bent (as shown) to form an inner cylindrical or otherwise shaped chamber E,
containing a longitudinal counterbalance rod of metal or other heavy material, and
upon which may be wound the body part of a separate fringe ornament F,
extending below the bar.
Counterbalance weights may also, if desired, be inserted loosely or fixedly within
any of the bottom bars.

page_text: In figure 17, the curtain edge is secured within the bar in the same manner as in
figures 7 and 12.
A hook. ring M, sustaining a pendant ring N is inserted between the lower
flanges of the bottom bar, the upper end of one of the branches of M, being turned
over and resting upon the straight flange of the bar.
The device for sustaining the ring may however encircle the bar, and be of the
character of any of those shown in figures 18 to 23 inclusive. These are all bent
into shape from a metal blank.
In figure 18, the encircling band is provided with two inwardly projecting
flanges Q, P, adapted to be clamped between the flanges of the bar on each side of
the curtain.
In figure 19, outwardly extending lips are employed, adapted to extend above
the bottom bar and to be sewed to the curtain by means of the double set of
holes Q¹, P¹.
..
In figure 22, the band is held in place by means of stitching passing through the
fabric and around the lips of the band, immediately below the shoulder Q Q³.
The stitching in both these cases unites the band to the fabric with great
tenacity.
In figure 20 the band is adapted to be connected to the curtain by a single rivet
or the like; and in figure 21 by means of an inwardly extending lip u to be
inserted between the bar flanges and a pointed projection V, passing through the
curtain above the bar.
In figure 23 which shows the blank from which still another form of encircling
band is bent, the projections m¹ m² are passed through the curtain and bent across
the plain neck R¹.
All of these encircling bands are provided with the subjacent recess R, for the
reception of a pendant ring as N, this ring if solid, being slipped into place between
the band lips before the band is placed upon the bar.
The ends of the bar are closed by means of end caps or ferrules, two different
forms of which are shown in figures 4, 5 and 2, 3.
The former consists of a short tubular body piece S, having an annular enlarge-
ment f at its outer end. Through a central aperture in f³, extends the button V¹
resting upon the yielding spring support R². The button V₁ is either entirely of
soft material such as plush, rubber, or the like, or is faced or covered with such
material.
This feature of our invention prevents the ends of the bar from denting or
scratching the window frame work.
In figures 2, 3, the end cap is made from a similar tube section f, having a like
overlapping annular flange f³. From this end projects the cap shaped piece E',
covered with a layer of soft material, held in place between the flange f³ and
cap El
The body of the bar may be covered with plush made of selected colors but
may be either plain and highly polished, or variously ornamented in other ways,
to suit individual taste or the demands of the trade.
When the curtain is very high and heavy, as is the case with many used for
shop windows, we provide each end cap d, d, (Fig. 24) with a roller b, b, turning
freely upon a pin c, c, inserted in the sides of the cap. Across these rollers extends
a cord e passing through the interior of the bar and out of the end caps, affording
a means for lowering the curtain. As thus constructed the rollers are out of sight
and protected from injury whereby a more ornamental effect is produced and the
fixture rendered more durable, than when the means for connecting the cord to the
bottom bar are exterior to it.
In Figures 27, 28 and 29 we have illustrated a form of bottom bar adapted for
adjustment to suit different widths of fabric.
It is composed of three sections. The end sections e¹ e¹ are each formed with
the spring clamping flanges, already described, for grasping the curtain edge.
They are first adjusted upon the curtain A'; whereupon the middle section f¹.

page_text: which is of slightly larger diameter is sprung over them, and also clasps the curtain
edge. A continuous bar is thus formed as shown in figure 27. The flanges or
lips of the middle section f¹ are cut away at each end of said section, so that the
latter can slip over the end sections, closely enveloping the proximate ends of the
latter. It is evident that these three sections can be adjusted longitudinally, so as
to make a shorter or a longer bar as the width of the curtain may demand.
Having thus described the nature of the said invention and in what manner the
same is to be performed as communicated to me by my foreign correspondents,
I declare that what I claim is
1. A bottom bar for window shades and the like, consisting of a main body
provided with interlocking spring clamping lips or flanges adapted to retain the
edge of the fabric between them, substantially as shown and described.
2. A bottom bar for window shades and the like, consisting of a main body
provided with interlocking clamping lips or flanges and divided into separable
longitudinal portions, substantially as shown and described.
3. A bottom bar for window shades and the like, consisting of end sections
made up of seperable longitudinal portions having interlocking clamping flanges,
and a middle section of like construction but larger diameter, whereby the latter
may be sprung over the proximate ends of the former; the whole forming a bottom
bar adapted to be adjusted to varying widths of fabric, substantially as shown and
described.
4. A bottom bar for window shades and the like, consisting of a hollow main
body, open end caps for the same, rollers within said end caps and a cord passing
through the bar, over the rollers and out at the end caps; whereby the curtain
may be lowered substantially as shown and described.
5. In a bottom bar for window shades and, the like, the main body thereof,
divided into separate longitudinal portions provided with interlocking spring
clamping lips or flanges, substantially as shown and described.
6. In a bottom bar for window shades and the like, the combination with the
main body thereof, of the inwardly projecting straight flange, and a bent flange,
the two adapted to retain the edge of the curtain or other fabric between them,
the whole being constructed of elastic or resilient material, whereby the two
flanges may be sprung together and interlocked, substantially as shown and
described.
7. In a bottom bar for window shapes, the main body thereof divided into
separate longitudinal portions, both constructed of elastic or resilient material, and
having inwardly projecting interlocking flanges, two of the flanges being straight
and the others bent, substantially as shown and described.
8. In a bottom bar for window shades, the combination with the main body
thereof formed of elastic or resilient material, of the inwardly projecting straight
lip or flange and a bent or curved flange, the latter having an auxiliary lip
extending downwardly therefrom whereby the flanges may be sprung together and
interlocked, and the auxiliary lip clamp against the inner surface of the bar,
substantially as shown and described.
9. In a bottom bar for window shades and the like, the combination with the
main portion thereof formed from a single piece of elastic material and having
interlocking spring clamping flanges, and a chamber E, of the counterbalance
rod, and the fringe ornament attached to the same substantially as shown and
described.
10. In a bottom bar for window shades and the like, the combination with the
main portion thereof formed from a single piece of elastic material and having
interlocking spring clamping flanges, and the chamber E, of the counterbalance
rod, substantially as shown and described.
11. In a bottom bar for window shades and the like, the combination with the
main body, of the soft cushions for the ends thereof, substantially as shown and
described.

page_text: 12. In a bottom bar for window shades and the like, the combination with the
main body, of an end cap or ferrule, having a covering of soft material, substan-
tially as shown and described.
13. In a bottom bar for window shades and the like, an end cap having a
projecting button consisting of or covered with soft material, and a spring support
for said button substantially as shown and described.
14. The combination with the bottom bar of a window shade or the like, of a
band encircling the same, provided with a subjacent recess for the reception of
a pendant ring, substantially as shown and described.
15. The combination with the bottom bar of a window shade or the like, of a
band encircling the same, provided with a subjacent recess for the reception of of a
pendant ring, the band being united to the curtain fabric above the bar by stitching
passing through said fabric and around the band and having shoulders above the
stitching, whereby when a strain is put upon the band in lowering the curtain, it
is prevented from slipping from the bar, substantially, as shown and described.
Dated this 27th day of October 1885