Patent ID: 8286687

Claim:
A device for closing and opening a curtain, comprising (a) a hollow rod having a longitudinal axis and containing a pair of channels and a slot in a lower surface thereof; (b) a connector connected with one end of said rod and extending coaxially with said rod, said connector including a housing intermediate the ends thereof and extending laterally therefrom, said housing containing a first toothed wheel offset from said rod longitudinal axis and driven for rotation relative to said connector; (c) a second toothed wheel rotatably connected with another end of said rod; (d) an endless toothed belt connected with said first and second toothed wheels extending within said rod channels and into said housing; and (e) at least one carrier connected with said toothed belt and extending through said slot, the curtain being connected with said carrier, whereby when said driven wheel is operated, said endless toothed belt displaces said carrier relative to said rod between said first and second toothed wheels to open and close the curtain without interference from said housing.