The present invention relates to a curtain displacement apparatus and in particular to an apparatus that can be used to close and open curtains.

Apparatus for the opening and closing of curtains are known. For example, W02010/055326 describes such an apparatus. However, that arrangement of connecting the sliders disclosed in W02010/055326, namely via ball chains, results in potential problems, such as the entanglement of the ball chains when the curtains are opened.

The present invention seeks to address such problems.

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a curtain displacement apparatus including an elongate track having a longitudinal axis; a lead carrier truck; and two or more slave carrier trucks; wherein the elongate track includes a track body which defines a longitudinal slot along its entire length, wherein the longitudinal slot faces upwards; the lead carrier truck and the slave carrier trucks each define an upwardly projecting curtain ring receiving member, wherein the upwardly projecting curtain ring receiving members project through the upwardly facing longitudinal slot and at least a portion of the curtain ring receiving members extend upwards beyond the track body; and wherein the lead carrier truck and the slave carrier trucks are slidably coupled to the track body and arranged in a linear array; a slave connector is provided between each adjacent pair of slave carrier trucks, wherein the slave connector has a defined length and is fixed to a first one of the pair of slave carrier trucks and is slidably coupled to a second one of the pair of slave carrier trucks, wherein the pair of slave carrier trucks have a first configuration in which the first slave carrier truck contacts the second slave carrier truck and a second configuration in which the second slave carrier truck is spaced from the first slave carrier truck by a spacing defined by the slave connector; and the lead carrier truck is connected to an adjacent slave carrier truck by a lead connector, wherein the lead connector has a defined length and is fixed to one of the lead carrier truck and the adjacent slave carrier truck and is slidably coupled to the other of the lead carrier truck and the adjacent slave carrier truck, wherein the lead carrier truck and the adjacent slave carrier truck have a first configuration in which the lead carrier truck contacts the adjacent slave carrier truck and a second configuration in which the adjacent slave carrier truck is spaced from the lead carrier truck by a spacing defined by the lead connector. The invention as defined provides an apparatus for opening and closing curtains. The linear array results in displacement of all of the carrier trucks when the lead carrier truck is displaced along the track.

Neighbouring carrier trucks are suitably constrained to have a maximum separation or spacing between them. This equates to a maximum separation or spacing between adjacent curtain rings and an even appearance for the curtain. Suitably, the maximum spacing between the carrier trucks is equal for all pairs of carrier trucks within the track.

In the context of the present invention, the "length associated with the slave connector or the lead connector" may be the pre-determined length of the connector or it may be a length between two points defined by the relevant connector. For example, each connector may define a proximal point and a distal point and the length associated with the connector may be the length defined between the defined proximal and distal points. In this case, the proximal and distal points may be the respective ends of the connector or they may be spaced from the ends of the connector. Accordingly, the defined length of the connectors may be less than the total length of the connector. Optionally, the slave connectors may include a stop element and the defined length of the slave connectors may be defined between an end portion of the connector to a stop element which is spaced from the opposite end of the connector.

In use, the lead carrier truck is displaced along the track until the maximum separation between the lead carrier truck and the first slave truck permitted by the lead connector is reached, whereupon to first slave carrier truck will then be urged to move along the track by the lead connector. The continued displacement of the lead carrier truck urges the first slave carrier truck away from the second slave carrier truck until the maximum spacing between the first and second slave carrier trucks permitted by the slave connector is reached, whereupon continued displacement of the lead carrier truck will result in movement of both the first and second slave carrier trucks along the track. The second slave carrier truck will then move the third slave carrier truck when the maximum separation between the second and third carrier trucks is reached and so on until the lead carrier truck is stationary. This results in the closure or partial closure of the curtain.

When moving the lead carrier truck in the opposite direction along the track, the lead carrier truck will move by itself until it contacts the first slave carrier truck. Continued displacement of the lead carrier truck in the same direction will cause both the lead carrier truck and the first slave carrier truck to move along the track until the first slave carrier truck contacts the second slave carrier truck and so on until all of the slave carrier trucks are in contact with a neighbouring slave carrier truck or until the lead carrier truck is stationary. This results in the opening or partial opening of the curtain.

The lead carrier truck may be the same as or different to the slave carrier trucks. Similarly, the lead connector may be the same as or different to the slave connectors.

The slave connectors are suitably rigid connectors. Additionally or alternatively, the lead connector may be a rigid connector. The connectors may be formed from a rigid material, such as a polymeric material or a metal material.

In an embodiment of the invention, each slave carrier truck includes a carrier truck body which defines a first connector coupling to which a proximal end of a first slave connector is secured; and a second connector to which a second slave connector is slidably coupled. Thus, each truck may include a fixed connector extending in a first direction to a neighbouring truck in that direction, and a slidable connector which extends in the opposite direction and is fixed to a neighbouring truck in the opposite direction. Such an arrangement defines the maximum spacing or separation between the adjacent slave carrier trucks.

The skilled person will appreciate that the last slave carrier truck (i.e. at the opposite end of the array to lead truck) will only include a single connector, although it includes both the first and second connector couplings. Accordingly, the last slave carrier truck will only be coupled to its only neighbouring carrier truck.

Suitably, the proximal end of each of the slave connectors forms a snap fit with the respective first connector coupling. This makes the assembly of the apparatus easier.

Additionally or alternatively, the distal end of the slave connectors may include a stop element which constrains the slidable displacement of the slave connectors relative to the respective second connectors. In such embodiments, each slave connector is fixed at its proximal end to a first one of the slave carrier trucks and its distal end is slidably coupled to a second, adjacent slave carrier truck. This permits the first slave carrier truck to be displaced away from the second slave carrier truck by a predetermined distance, after which, the second slave carrier truck is tethered to the first slave carrier truck via the slave connector.

In an embodiment of the invention, the slave connectors define a middle body portion between the proximal end portion and the distal end portion, and the distal end portion is vertically angled relative to the middle body portion, wherein the distal end portion of a first slave connector is vertically spaced from a proximal end of a neighbouring slave connector. In this way, when the slave carrier trucks are urged together, the distal end of a first slave connector slides above or beneath the proximal end of the slave connector of the adjacent carrier truck. This allows the slave connectors to stack vertically, thereby permitting the carrier trucks to be linearly aligned in contact with each other.

As noted above, the longitudinal slot defined by the elongate track body faces upwards. This results in the projecting curtain ring receiving members projecting upwards. The curtain rings are then supported at an upper portion thereof and the rings may extend around the track body.

Suitably, the curtain ring receiving members are semi-circular in shape or are U-shaped. In such embodiments, the open portion of the receiving member suitably faces upwards. In this way, the action of gravity maintains the curtain rings in engagement with the respective receiving members.

In a yet further embodiment of the invention, the track body defines a first supporting surface and the slave carrier trucks are supported by the first supporting surface. In other words, the slave carrier trucks may be slidably coupled to the first supporting surface. The supporting surface may be a single, unitary surface or it may comprise separate, spaced apart surface elements. For example, the supporting surface may be formed from a pair of parallel, spaced apart rail portions, which may be defined by the track body. In such embodiments, each slave carrier truck may include a pair of opposed laterally extending rail contact arms. For example, each of the laterally extending rail contact arms may contact and be supported by a respective one of the rail portions.

The track body may further define a second support surface and the lead carrier truck may be supported by the second supporting surface. Thus, the lead carrier truck may be slidably coupled to the second supporting surface. Again, the second supporting surface may be a single, unitary surface or it may comprise separate, spaced apart surface elements, such as, for example, spaced apart rails.

It will be appreciated that the apparatus may further include a drive apparatus which drives the lead carrier track along the elongate track. In other words, the drive apparatus may cause axial displacement of the lead carrier truck relative to the elongate track. As noted above, the axial displacement of the lead carrier truck results in an expanded linear array of the carrier trucks in which each of the slave carrier trucks is spaced from the neighbouring carrier trucks by the predetermined length associated with the slave connectors; or a contracted linear array of the carrier trucks in which each of the slave carrier trucks is in contact with its neighbouring carrier trucks. The skilled person will appreciate that an intermediate configuration is also possible, in which some of the slave carrier trucks are spaced from their neighbours and some of the carrier trucks are in contact with their neighbours. Such a configuration is considered to be a partially open or partially closed configuration.

Suitably, the drive apparatus includes a drive belt which is coupled to or engaged with the lead carrier truck. As noted above, only the lead carrier truck needs to be moved by the drive apparatus, as the arrangement of the apparatus means that displacement of the lead carrier truck results in the consequential displacement of the slave carrier trucks as described herein.

The drive belt may be a toothed drive belt. This permits a more accurate control of the displacement of the lead carrier truck. The drive belt is suitably disposed within the track body and is driven to move relative to the track body. For example, the drive belt may be in the form of a continuous loop and it may be driven to rotate within the track body.

The drive belt may define a bight or return portion between the ends of the belt, wherein the bight or return portion is engaged with a drive wheel or pulley.

The drive belt may be driven to move manually by a user or via a motor, such as an electric motor. For example, the drive belt may be coupled to a pulley wheel and the pulley wheel may be manually rotated or it may be rotated by an electric motor. Accordingly, the apparatus may further include a pulley wheel and a manual drive component or an electric motor. In an embodiment of the invention, the apparatus includes a first array of carrier trucks comprising a first lead carrier truck; and two or more first slave carrier trucks; and a second array of carrier trucks comprising a second lead carrier truck; and two or more second slave carrier trucks; wherein the first lead carrier truck faces the second lead carrier truck and first and second lead carrier trucks move towards each other or away from each other in use. It will be appreciated that curtains tend to be arranged in pairs in which the leading edges of the curtains are drawn together to close the curtains or urged apart in order to open the curtains. Thus, the first and second carrier trucks may be urged towards each other to close the pair of curtains or may be urged away from each other to open the pair of curtains.

Suitably, the apparatus further includes a drive apparatus which drives the first and second lead carrier trucks to move longitudinally along the elongate track. Thus, the drive apparatus may drive the first and second lead carrier trucks to move towards each other or to move away from each other.

The drive apparatus may comprise one or more drive belts as discussed herein. The drive belt(s) are suitably driven. Accordingly, the drive belt(s) may be operatively coupled to a drive wheel or drive pulley.

In an embodiment of the invention, the apparatus includes a first drive belt which is coupled to a front portion of the first lead carrier truck and to a rear portion of the second lead carrier truck; and a second drive belt which is coupled to a rear portion of the first lead carrier truck and to a front portion of the second lead carrier truck. The skilled person will appreciate that a return portion may be defined between the ends of the first and second drive belts. In such an arrangement, one of the first and second drive belts may be driven to move axially via its return portion. Drive of one of the first and second belts in a first direction suitably urges the first and second lead carrier trucks to move towards each other and drive of the first and/or second drive belt in the opposite direction may urge the first and second lead carrier trucks to move away from each other.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a curtain comprising a curtain substrate; a plurality of curtain rings which support the curtain substrate; and a curtain displacement apparatus as defined anywhere herein in connection with the first aspect of the invention, wherein each of the curtain rings is received by a respective one of the curtain ring receiving members.

In an embodiment of the invention according to its second aspect, the curtain substrate is connected to the curtain rings or the curtain rings are defined within the curtain substrate. In other words, the curtain rings may be in the form of eyelets formed in or defined by an upper portion the curtain substrate. The skilled person will appreciate that in the context of the present invention, a curtain ring may be disposed above the curtain substrate, where each curtain ring is connected to a portion of the curtain substrate via a ring connector, or it may be defined within or formed within an upper portion of the curtain substrate (often referred to as "eyelets").

According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a curtain displacement apparatus including an elongate track having a longitudinal axis; a first set of carrier trucks including a lead carrier truck and two or more slave carrier trucks disposed at one end of the elongate track; and a second set of carrier trucks including a lead carrier truck and two or more slave carrier trucks disposed at the other end of the elongate track, wherein the first and second lead carrier trucks are arranged to move towards each other (i.e., closing the curtains) or away from each other (i.e., opening the curtains), wherein the lead carrier trucks, the slave carrier trucks and the connections between them are as defined herein.

The skilled person will appreciate that the features described and defined in connection with the aspect of the invention and the embodiments thereof may be combined in any combination, regardless of whether the specific combination is expressly mentioned herein. Thus, all such combinations are considered to be made available to the skilled person.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 shows an exploded view of a curtain displacement apparatus according to the first aspect of the invention;

Figure 2 shows the curtain displacement apparatus shown in Figure 1 with the lead carrier truck and the slave carrier trucks connected together;

Figure 3 shows an assembled curtain displacement apparatus; Figure 4 shows a cross sectional view through the assembled curtain displacement apparatus shown in Figure 3;

Figure 5 shows a pair of lead carrier trucks connected together via a drive belt;

Figure 6 shows an exploded view of the lead carrier trucks and drive belt shown in Figure 5;

Figure 7a shows a plan view from above of the lead carrier trucks and drive belt shown in Figure 5; and

Figure 7b shows a cross-sectional view through the lead carrier trucks shown in Figure 5.

For the avoidance of doubt, the skilled person will appreciate that in this specification, the terms "up", "down", "front", "rear", "upper", "lower", "width", etc. refer to the orientation of the components as found in the example when installed for normal use as shown in the Figures.

Figures 1 to 4 show a curtain displacement apparatus 2 comprising an elongate track 4 formed from a track body. The track body defines a longitudinal, upward facing slot 6. The track body further defines a first supporting surface 8a, 8b in the form of a pair of spaced apart rail portions; and a second supporting surface 10 in the form of a unitary floor.

The apparatus 2 further includes a lead carrier truck 12 which includes a lead truck body 12a, a U- shaped curtain ring receiving member 14 at one end of the body 12a and an upstanding connector arm 16 at the opposite end of the body 12a. Between the curtain ring receiving member 14 and the upstanding connector arm, a longitudinal channel is defined by three channel-defining elements 18a, 18b, 18c. The three channel-defining elements define between them a channel which has a predetermined width and height. Extending laterally from the body 12a are a pair of drive belt coupling elements 20a, 20b, which will be discussed in more detail hereinbelow. A downwardly facing surface of the lead truck body 12a defines a contact surface 22 via which the lead carrier truck 12 contacts the second supporting surface 10. A low coefficient of friction between the contact surface 22 and the second supporting surface 10 permits the lead carrier truck to slide longitudinally along the supporting surface 10.

Arranged in a linear array away from the lead carrier truck 12 are a number of slave carrier trucks 24. Each slave carrier truck 24 includes a slave carrier truck body 38 from which an upstanding U- shaped curtain ring receiving member 26 extends. Depending downwardly from the truck body 38 are a pair of connector couplings 28, 30. Each of the connector couplings 28, 30 comprises a body which defines therein a rectangular slot. For ease of manufacture and assembly, the connector couplings 28, 30 have identical slots. Extending laterally from the truck body 38 are a pair of wing members 38a, 38b. When assembled inside the elongate track 4, the each of the wing members 38a, 38b engages a corresponding one of the spaced apart rail portions 8a, 8b, whereby each of the slave carrier trucks 24 is supported by the first supporting surface 8a, 8b. As with the lead carrier truck, a low coefficient of friction between the wing members 38a, 38b and the rails 8a, 8b of the first supporting surface permits the slave carrier trucks to slide longitudinally along the first supporting surface 8a, 8b.

The lead carrier truck 12 is connected to a first one of the slave carrier trucks 24 via a lead connector 32. The lead connector includes a front body portion 34 which defines an elongate front slot, and a rear body portion 36 which defines a rear slot. Both the front and rear slots are closed. The elongate front slot receives therein the upstanding connector arm 16 of the lead carrier truck and the front body portion is slidably coupled within the channel defined by the three channeldefining elements 18a, 18b, 18c. In this way, the upstanding connector arm 16 can slide within the elongate front slot as the front body portion slides within the channel defined by the channeldefining elements 18a, 18b, 18c. The ends of the elongate front slot act as stops and interaction of the upstanding connector arm 16 with the stops constrains the displacement of the front body portion 34 of the lead connector relative to the lead carrier truck 12.

The rear body portion 36 is located over the upstanding U-shaped curtain ring receiving member 26 and engages the truck body 38 such that the truck body 38 is located within the rear slot.

In use, the lead carrier truck 12 may start adjacent to the first of the slave carrier trucks 24. In this arrangement, the upstanding connector arm 16 of the lead carrier truck 12 is in contact with the distal end of the elongate front slot (i.e. the end adjacent to the rear body portion 36) and the proximal end of the front body portion 34 is in contact with the U-shaped curtain ring receiving member 14. The lead carrier truck 12 is then urged away from the first of the slave carrier trucks 24. Initially, the lead carrier truck 12 moves by itself. In so doing, the lead connector 32 remains stationary and the upstanding connector arm 16 slides within the elongate front slot from the distal end of the front slot towards the proximal end of the front slot. When the upstanding connector arm 16 engages the proximal end of the front slot, the lead connector 32 is not longer able to remain stationary and is urged to move with the lead carrier truck 12. As the first of the slave carrier trucks 24 is connected to the rear body portion 36 of the lead connector 32, the first of the slave carrier trucks 24 is also urged to move with the lead carrier truck 12 via the coupling provided by the lead connector 32.

The first slave carrier truck 24 is connected to a second (i.e. adjacent) slave carrier truck 24 via a slave connector 40. The slave connector 40 comprises a proximal end portion 42, a distal end portion 44 and a middle body portion 46. The distal end portion 44 is angled downwards relative to the middle body portion 46 and the proximal body portion 42. Additionally, the distal end portion includes a downwardly projecting stop element 48. The proximal end portion 42 defines a pair of barbs which together define a snap-fit connector at the proximal end of the slave connector 40.

To connect the second slave truck 24 to the first slave truck 24, the opposed legs of the proximal end portion 42 are squeezed together and the proximal end portion 42 of the slave connector is passed through the rectangular slot defined by the left hand connector coupling 28 of the second slave truck. The opposed legs are then released and the proximal end portion 42 of the slave connector is urged into a snap-fit engagement with the right hand connector coupling 30 of the first slave truck 24. In this arrangement, the proximal end portion 42 of the slave connector 40 is fixed to the first slave truck 24 via its right hand connector coupling 30. However, the middle body portion 46 and part of the distal end portion 44 of the slave connector is slidably coupled to the left hand connector coupling 28 of the second slave truck 24.

In this way, as the first slave truck 24 moves away from the second slave truck 24, the second slave truck 24 remains stationary until the stop element 48 of the slave connector 40 engages the left hand connector coupling 28 of the second slave truck 24. The stop element 48 is not able to pass through the slot defined by the connector coupling 28. When the stop element 48 engages the connector coupling 28, further displacement of the first slave truck 24 away from the second slave truck 24 is prevented. In this way, further movement of the first slave truck 24 in the same direction results in a corresponding movement of the second slave truck 24 in that direction.

The second carrier truck 24 is connected to the third carrier truck 24 in the same way and so on.

Accordingly, when the curtain is pulled over an architectural opening, such as a window, the lead carrier truck 12 initially moves by itself until the lead connector 32 reaches the end of its permitted travel relative to the lead carrier truck 12, at which point, the lead carrier truck 12 pulls the first of the slave carrier trucks 24 along with it. The lead carrier truck 12 and the first slave carrier truck 24 then move together until the first slave connector 40 (which connects the first slave truck 24 to the second slave truck 24) reaches the end of its permitted travel relative to the second slave carrier truck 24 (i.e. until the stop element 48 of the first slave connector 40 engages the connector coupling 28 of the second slave truck 24). At this point, the lead carrier truck 12 then pulls both the first and second slave carrier trucks 24. This process continues with each of the slave carrier trucks 24 moving in turn until the leading edge of the curtain is in the desired location.

When it is desired to retract or open the curtain, the lead carrier truck 12 is urged towards the first of the slave carrier trucks 24. The lead carrier truck 12 continues to move by itself until the upstanding connector arm 16 engages the distal end of the elongate front slot 34. At this point, further movement of the lead carrier truck 12 towards the slave carrier trucks 24 will push the first slave carrier truck 24 towards the second slave carrier truck 24.

As the first slave carrier truck 24 is pushed towards the second slave carrier truck 24, the first slave connector 40 slides relative to the connector coupling 28 of the second slave carrier truck 24. The downwardly angled distal end 44 of the slave connector 40 permits the distal end 44 of the first slave connector 40 to pass below the proximal end 42 of the second slave connector 40, which is fixed relative to the other connector coupling 30 of the second slave carrier truck 24. In this way, the slave connectors 40 stack vertically and interference between adjacent slave connectors 40 is avoided.

The first slave carrier truck 24 continues towards the second slave carrier truck 24 until the first slave carrier truck 24 contacts the second slave carrier truck 24. After this contact, continued movement of the lead carrier truck 12 pushes the first and second slave carrier trucks 24 towards the third carrier truck 24 and so on.

Figures 5, 6, 7a and 7b show a pair of lead carrier trucks 12', 12" which are coupled together by a pair of drive belts 50, 52. As can be seen in the figures, the first drive belt 50 connects a rear portion (i.e. the end opposite to the curtain ring receiving member 14) of a first one of the lead carrier trucks 12' to a front portion (i.e. the end adjacent to the curtain ring receiving member 14) of the second one of the lead carrier trucks 12". Similarly, the second drive belt 52 connects the front portion of the first lead carrier truck 12' to the rear portion of the second lead carrier truck 12".

As shown in the figures, the first drive belt 50 includes a return portion 50a, and the second drive belt 52 includes a return portion 52a. The skilled person will appreciate that the return portions are disposed in use around a drive pulley or a guide pulley (not shown). As a result of the arrangement of the drive belts 50, 52, only one of the pulleys needs to be a drive pulley, as when one of the drive belts 50, 52 is driven to move, the other drive belt 50, 52 is also driven to move. Thus, in an example of the invention, the return portion 50a is engaged with a drive pulley and the return portion 52a is engaged with a guide pulley that is free to rotate in either sense (clockwise or anticlockwise).

As shown in the figures, the drive belts 50, 52 are toothed belts, as this ensures a better engagement with pulley wheels having a corresponding arrangement of teeth or ridges.

Figure 6 shows the arrangement of drive belts 50, 52 and the lead carrier trucks 12', 12" in more detail.

As noted above, each of the lead carrier trucks 12', 12" includes a pair of drive belt coupling elements 20a, 20b extending laterally from the body 12a. Each of the drive belt coupling elements 20a, 20b defines therein a rectangular aperture within which is received a rectangular arm 54 of a belt connector 56. The rectangular arms 54 form a friction fit in the respective one of the rectangular apertures defined by the drive belt coupling elements 20a, 20b. Each belt connector includes a body portion 58 which defines therein a channel which is open at the top. A portion of the drive belt 50, 52 is received within the channel defined by the body portion 58. The drive belt 50, 52 is locked in position by a locking element 60 which closes the top of the channel. The locking elements 60 each include a pair of downwardly projecting legs 62 which are received by corresponding apertures 64 defined by the body portion such that each projecting leg 62 forms a friction fit within the corresponding aperture 64. Additionally, each of the locking elements 60 carries a downwardly projecting tab 66, which is spaced rearwardly from the projecting legs 60. A distal end portion of the projecting tab 66 carries a locking lug 68 which forms a snap fit with a snap-fit coupling portion 70 of the body portion 58.

The arrangement described above couples the drive belts 50, 52 to the lead carrier trucks 12', 12". As shown in the figures, the rectangular arms 54 may be inserted into corresponding rectangular aperture from either side.

In use, a pair of curtains are secured to the curtain displacement apparatus 2 such that each curtain ring via which the curtain is supported is placed into a respective one of the curtain ring receiving elements 14, 26.

When a user wishes to open the curtains, the drive pulley (not shown) is rotated in a first sense and the lead carrier trucks 12', 12" are displaced away from each other. As described above, as the lead carrier trucks 12', 12" are displaced towards the respective ends of the track 4, they sequentially push the slave carrier trucks 24 towards the respective end of the track 4. Conversely, when the user wishes to close the curtains, the drive pulley is rotated in the opposite sense, which displaces the lead carrier trucks 12', 12" towards each other and the centre of the track 4. As described above, as the lead carrier trucks 12', 12" are displaced towards each other and the centre of the track 4, they sequentially pull the slave carrier trucks 24 in the direction of travel of the lead carrier truck 12', 12".

The skilled person will appreciate that the drive pulley may be rotated manually, e.g., by a crank handle or a pulley cord/chain, or it may be rotated by an electric motor.