IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS USED WITH CURTAINS, BLINDS, MAPS, AND PLANS
Year: 1849

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, THOMAS
Porrs, of Birmingham, in the County of Warwick, Manufacturer, send
greeting.
WHEREAS Her present most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Royal Letters Patent under the Great Seal of the United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Ireland, bearing date at Westminster, the First day of August,
One thousand eight hundred and forty-nine, in the thirteenth year of Her reign,
did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the said
Thomas Potts, my exors, adñiors, and assigns, Her especial licence, full power,
sole privilege and authority, that I, the said Thomas Potts, my exors, adiñors,
and assigns, and such others as I, the said Thomas Potts, my exors, adñiors,
or assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others, from time to time and
at all times during the term of years therein expressed, should and lawfully
might make, use, exercise, and vend, within England, Wales, and the Town of
Berwick-upon-Tweed, my Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS USED
WITH CURTAINS, BLINDS, MAPS, AND PLANS;" in which said Letters Patent is
contained a proviso that I, the said Thomas Potts, should cause a particular
description of the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the
same is to be performed, by an instrument in writing under my hand
and seal, to be inrolled in Her said Majesty's High Court of Chancery
within six calendar months next and immediately after the date of the said
in part recited Letters Patent, as in and the same, reference being thereunto
had, will more fully and at large appear.

page_text: NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the said
Thomas Potts, do hereby declare that the nature of my said Invention, and
the manner in which the same is to be performed, are fully described
and ascertained in and by the following statement thereof, reference being
had to the Drawings hereunto annexed, and to the figures and letters marked
thereon, that is to say:-
My improvements relate,―
First, to a mode of forming tubes to be used' for suspending curtains or
maps and plans, such tubes having an open joint in the direction of their length,
so that curtains, maps, or plans may be supported thereby without external
rings. In order to form such tubes, I take a piece of metal the width and
length required, and shape it by drawing through a suitable die, which pro-
duces a turned-up edge of the shape shewn at a, a, Figure 1. I then anneal
the metal, if required, and draw it through a die of any required form (round,
grooved, or otherwise, as the case may be), and over a mandril, so as to lay the
two edges flat and smooth, as shewn by the section, Figure 2. The object of
thus turning over the edges is to strengthen the tubes and economize labor and
material.
Another improvement consists in casing iron or zinc, to form tubes for
suspending curtains, maps, or plans, with brass or other metals, and this
I accomplish in manner as follows:-I take a length of metal of the required
width to form the exterior of the intended tube; I also take another length
of metal (which may be iron, zinc, or other less costly metal) of a width
somewhat less than the other, and for the purpose of forming a lining to it,
I then turn up, by drawing through a die, the sides of the length which is to
form the exterior of the finished tube, so as to enclose the other length, and
I then draw them through a die with a suitable mandril, in a similar manner
to that described with respect to Figure 2; or sometimes I draw both lengths
of metal at one operation through a suitable die with a mandril to form the
required tube. During the processes I anneal the lengths of metal as
required, and draw them through a die on a mandril the size and form
required, and finally produce a tube such as shewn by the sections, Figures
4 and 5, or other form required. By this combination I am enabled to use
less brass, and to make a stronger, cheaper, and more durable tube than if
the tube were all of brass or other superior metal.
Another of my improvements consists in a mode of producing ornamental
tubing, to be used for suspending curtains, maps, or plans. In order to effect
this I perforate the metal which is to form the outer tube with press tools,
similar to those used for piercing fenders, or by rolls or other tools similar to
those used for perforating zinc. Having pierced the metal so as to produce

page_text: the forms of leaves, flowers, scroll work, or other ornaments, I draw it into
tubing, and finish it in the usual way for lacquering, or by gilding, silvering,
painting, or bronzing; then I place inside it another tube, either bright or
colored with bronze or other material, in contrast to that of the exterior tube;
or I insert within the perforated tubing any colored substance, such as velvet,
silk, or other woven material, or foil, or paper, or gutta percha, or other
substance, which by contrast of color will shew the perforated parts of the
outer tubing distinctly; and sometimes instead of using perforated metal for the
outer tube I use woven wire to produce a similar effect.
Another of my improvements consists in forming tubes to be used for
suspending curtains, maps, or plans with spiral cords or lines in the direction
of their length. To effect this I take a tube having any desired number of
reeds or angles produce upon it in straight lines by drawing in the usual
manner; I then fill the interior of such tube with melted lead or some other
material which can be readily removed from the interior after the forms
I require have been produced; I then by casting or other means fix a collar to
each end of the tube;. I then firmly retain. or hold one end of the tube while
by any mechanical means I twist round the other, and thereby I twist the
threads or reeds into a spiral form from end to end, and sometimes I fix a
collar in the centre of a tube, and also one at each end, and twist the threads
at one or both ends, leaving the reeds in the centre straight, or vice versa.
Tubes thus produced may be tapering or of equal diameter from end to end.
I will now describe several methods of moving or opening and closing
window and other curtains, one of which is shewn at Figure 6. It consists in
using a right and left hand screw for this purpose. a is a threaded shaft
supported in any suitable manner at each end, and having a pulley a¹, formed
thereon to facilitate its being turned round. If there are two curtains to the
window or other opening, the threads should be divided; one part being right,.
the other left hand. This shaft a supports two runners b, with projections on
the inside to pass between the threads of the shaft a. These runners & should
be attached to each of the curtains, in manner shewn.
be of the ordinary kind, and supported to run upon a rod c, or the curtain may
be supported, as described with respect to other parts of this Invention, within
an open tube, which may also enclose the threaded shaft a. As the screw
The curtain rings may.
shaft a is turned round the runners b will be forced from the end to the centre,
or vice versa, and the curtains be opened or closed, as required.
Another mode of opening and closing curtains is shewn by Figures 7 and 8.
It consists in employing for this purpose the elasticity of a suitable spring,
and I prefer for the purpose one made of vulcanized india rubber. a is an

page_text: open tube, such as before described. 6 is a strap of india rubber secured at
one end a¹ to the parts of the tube or frame. To the strap the supports of
the curtains are to be attached, so as to be capable of movement with the
movement of the strap b. To the end of the strap 6 I attach a cord c
passing over a pulley d; by pulling the cord c the band 6 will be distended, and
the curtain drawn, and it may be so held by fastening the end of the cord d
in any suitable manner. In place of a band of india rubber a spiral metallic
spring may be employed to produce the same effect. The cords c may be
arranged to draw the curtains in the centre of the window or other place,
or at either end, and although I have shewn and prefer to use this arrange-
ment within a tube, it may be otherwise employed.
Another mode of arranging apparatus in connection with curtains consists
in employing a rod or tube of a form such as will prevent the rings which
support the curtains turning round thereon. The form I prefer is that of a
pear or oval, as shewn by Figure 9, but I do not restrict myself to that
form. The rod or tube a supports the rings, metallic or otherwise, b, but
I prefer gutta percha. The rings (which support the curtains in the ordinary
manner) should be similar in shape to the 'section of the rod or tube which
support them, but fitting loosely thereon to allow of their moving freely from
end to end. The rods and the rings I prefer to be enclosed within a tube
such as above described, with an opening in the direction of its length, but
I do not confine myself to that arrangement.
I will now describe another of my apparatus for opening and closing
curtains with great facility and less noise than by methods ordinarily in use.
This arrangement is shewn by Figures 10 and 11. I make by casting or
other means a number of strips or links a, such strips or links being made
with three holes in them; any required number of such strips or links a are
then fastened together in a double row by rivets, so that one row is underneath
and crosses the other, as shewn. And I would here state that similar articles
to the above have been made and used by invalids for picking their handker-
chiefs or other articles off the floor, and are known in the trade by the name
of lazy tongs, or lazy legs. When I have fastened a sufficient number of these
strips a together, I attach to some of the centre rivets a small wheel b, which
wheels run upon the bars or rails c, c, and such bars or rails, with the arrange
ment of links a, may be enclosed within a metal tube or wooden case, or
otherwise hidden from sight, if required. On the bars c, c, are affixed pulleys
d; d, over which pass the cords e, f, one end of each of which is attached at g
to the lazy tongs; by pulling one or the other cord the lazy tongs will be
opened or closed, opening or closing the curtains, the end a¹ of the lazy

page_text: tongs being firmly affixed, as shewn. For beds where the curtains on the
sides of the bed are unequal in length, the lazy tongs should be formed of
a greater number of bars in the long length than would be required in the
short, and the pullies which close the curtains would have to be placed nearer
one end of the railway according to the unequal length of curtains.
My improvements in roller blinds consist in drawing the blind inside a
metal tube with an open joint in the direction of its length. Figure 12 shews
an arrangement according to this part of the Invention. a is an open joint
metallic tube with ends a¹, a¹, to support a rod b. To affix the blind I take a
piece of tape of sufficient width prepared with a seam or hem sufficient to
take in the rod b, which I run through the hem of the tape; the tape and rod
are then to be supported in the tube a, by means of the ends a', a', one of the
ends a having-a pulley for a cord formed thereon. The parts thus combined are
then to be supported inside the outer tube or case c. The tape should be of
sufficient width to project about one inch out of the tube a, so that it may readily
be attached to the blind, and although I have shewn the arrangement of blind
apparatus applied externally, the same is equally applicable to internal pur-
poses. At the lower end of the blind, particularly when the same is arranged
as an internal blind, I form a seam to receive a length of wire a, Figure 13.
This wire or rod a I enclose in a length of tube of any desired form, but with
an opening in the direction of its length for the end of the blind; I then
secure the tube e in position on the rod a, by the ends f, f, they being screwed
or otherwise fastened. Figure 14 shews the arrangement of roller to enclose
a blind (when the same is to be rolled up) applied as a shade to a conservatory.
The same parts are indicated by like letters of reference. The lower part of
the blind is in this case supported upon runners at each end, and if the blind
is of considerable width, the parts may also be supported at intervals.
Another arrangement of my apparatus to be used with external blinds is
shewn at Figures 15 and 16. A and B are two upright shafts, which are
geared together so as to be capable of a simultaneous movement when one is
acted upon. To these upright shafts A, B, are connected by hinge joints the
bars C, C, which are held up in position by the links D, D, the lower end of
each of which is connected to a collar E, in which is formed a spiral grove to
receive a pin F, projecting from the bearing G. The upright shaft A is
capable of being turned by means of the handle H on the short shaft H¹, on
which is affixed the pinion I, which takes into the toothed wheel on the axle
A; when the shafts A, B, are turned so as to turn the bars outwards, the
collars will descend a short distance by reason of the spiral groove, and the
outer ends of the bars C will be caused to incline, as shewn by the dotted

page_text: lines. To these arms may be attached in any suitable manner blinds of any
suitable kind; and I would here state, that although I have combined the
axes A and B to open simultaneously, they may be arranged to be opened
independently.
Another of my improvements relates to a mode of manufacturing racks used
with curtains, or it may be with maps and plans when such are wound upon
rollers, and it consists in forming the teeth for the spring catch to act in in one
side edge of the case, and out of sheet metal. In proceeding to make such
racks I take a strip of metal, such as is shewn at Figure 17, and divide with
press tools (or it may be a pair of rolls or circular shears), so as to form a
series of indents or notches a; I then slightly turn up the edges of such metal,
and by means of suitable dies draw it into open tubing, of a form correspond-
ing to the section of the required rack, as is well understood; I then cut it
into the required lengths for a rack pulley, as is shewn by Figure 18; I then
at each end cut or saw a nick across the upper part of the tube, and open or
flatten such ends, and with press tools give any required form to them. I
then pierce or drill holes for screws or other modes of attachment.
Figure 19 shews another mode of forming the case of the rack for the
pulley. In this instance I pierce in the strip of metal a row of holes, which
serve as notches for the spring catch in place of the teeth now commonly
used. In other respects the operations are similar to those above described,
and are well understood.
Another mode of manufacturing racks is shewn at Figures 20 and 21.
This rack I call the "paddle rack." a is the plate to be attached to the
window or other frame; b, b, are two guides in which the bar c slides. This
bar c has teeth formed upon it, which are taken into by the teeth of the
pinion upon the stem of the handle c³, and also by the teeth of the spring
catch d. The cord from the roller passes under the wheel on the end of the
bar c, and it is tightened by turning the pinion e¹ so as to bring the bar c
downwards, the catch d acting at all times to prevent the return of the bar c.
At the same time the catch d gives way during the descent of the bar of the
bar c, but prevents its return, except when the thumb piece f of the spring
catch d is pressed inwards.
Having thus described the nature of my Invention, and the manner in
which the same is to be performed, I would have it understood that I do not
confine myself to the precise details herein given, so long as the peculiar
character of any part be retained; but what I claim is,--
First, the making tubes to be used with curtains, maps, or plans, with open
joints and the edges turned inwards, as described.

page_text: Secondly, I claim the making open joint tubes to be used with curtains,
maps, or plans, of two thicknesses of metal, the edges of one thickness of
metal to form the tube being turned over the other.
Thirdly, I claim the mode of making perforated tubes to be used with
curtains, maps, or plans, with metal or woven wire, and the application within
said tubes of other tubes or substances of a different color or colors to the wire
or perforated tubes, as described.
Fourthly, I claim the mode of twisting the whole or parts of the threads or
reeds of straight reeded or squared tubes used with curtains, maps, or plans,
into a spiral or screw-like form.
Fifthly, I claim the mode of opening and closing. curtains with a right and
left handed screw.
Sixthly, I claim the mode of opening and closing curtains by means of
india-rubber or other suitable metallic springs.
Seventhly, I claim the mode of opening and closing curtains with rings
working on a rod or tube of a form such such as will prevent the rings
turning round thereon, as described with respect to Figure 9.
Eighthly, I claim the mode of opening and closing curtains by means of
what is commonly called "lazy legs" or "lazy tongs," running with wheels on
a railway.
Ninthly, I claim the mode of making roller blinds to be raised or lowered
within open-joint tubes or cases; also the application of the same apparatus to
maps and plans.
Tenthly, I claim the mode of forming a support to external blinds, as
described with respect to Figures 15 and 16.
Eleventhly, I claim the mode of constructing blinds for horticultural purposes
to work on runners, and to be enclosed in a tube or case when folded or rolled
up and not in use, as described.
Twelfthly, I claim the modes of manufacturing racks applicable to
curtains, blinds, maps, and plans, as described with respect to Figures 17, 18,
and 19.
Thirteenthly, I claim the mode of manufacturing racks, applicable to
curtains, blinds, maps, and plans, as described with respect to Figures 20
and 21.
In witness whereof, I, the said Thomas Potts, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Thirtieth day of January, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty.
THOMAS (L.S.) POTTS.

page_text: AND BE IT REMEMBERED, that on the Thirtieth day of January, in
the year of our Lord 1850, the aforesaid Thomas Potts came before our
said Lady the Queen in Her Chancery, and acknowledged the Specification
aforesaid, and all and every thing therein contained and specified, in form
above written. And also the Specification aforesaid was stamped according to
the tenor of the Statute made for that purpose.
Enrolled the First day of February, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and fifty.