Hanger

Abstract

A hanger for arranging a curtain, flag or cover for movement in a plane defined by a displacement axis and the hanger being arranged symmetrical with respect to the displacement axis, which comprises a guide rail, a guide element guided by the guide rail, a support body connected to the guide element, the support body having two legs arranged to overlap an edge of the sheet held therebetween, and the edge of the sheet being affixed to the support body.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to a hanger for arranging a sheet, such as a curtain, flag or cover, for movement in a plane defined by a displacement axis, which comprises a guide element for guidance along a guide member, such as a guide rail, a guide rope or the like, and a support body connected to the guide element, the support body having means for affixing the edge of the sheet to the support body.

[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art

[0004] DE 36 35 422 A1 discloses a hanger with a hook-shaped fastening element for an edge of a curtain, and a support body with two guide elements engaging a guide rail.

[0005] EP 1 080 675 A1 discloses a hanger with a hook hanging in a guide element and a support body. The support body has two hinged legs overlapping a fold of the curtain. A separate fastening clip clamps the legs together. The structure of the hanger is complex and requires an expensive tool. The hanger structure does not afford a balanced load on the guide rail so that it is not adapted for heavy curtains.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] It is a primary object of this invention to provide a hanger of simple structure, which may be manufactured in a cost-effective manner and which affords a balanced load on the guide rail. The hanger of the invention is particularly useful for all sorts of heavy sheets, such as curtains or covers, in tents, trucked advertising sheets, flags, stage or industrial curtains, and the like.

[0007] The above and other objects are accomplished in accordance with the invention with a hanger for arranging a sheet for movement in a plane defined by a displacement axis and the hanger being arranged substantially symmetrical with respect to the displacement axis, which comprises a guide element guided for guidance along a guide member, and a support body connected to the guide element. The support body has two legs arranged to overlap an edge of the sheet held therebetween, and means for affixing the edge of the sheet to the support body.

[0008] The manufacture of such a hanger is simple and cost-effective. At the same time, the guide member as well as the guide element are subjected to a centered, even load.

[0009] Preferably and to avoid assembly errors, the hanger is also arranged substantially symmetrical with respect to a plane extending perpendicular to the displacement axis.

[0010] A fold-free fastening of the curtain to the hanger is obtained if the legs extend parallel to each other and to the displacement axis.

[0011] The manufacture as well as the assembly is obtained if the legs are integral with the support body since this reduces the number of parts.

[0012] If the two legs define a receiving groove therebetween, the edge of the curtain may be positioned therein.

[0013] A reliable fastening of the edge of the sheet is produced if the legs have facing serrated inner sides pressed towards each other. The serrated inner sides may have projections defining grooves therebetween, the projections on the inner side of one of the legs being aligned with the grooves on the inner side of the other leg.

[0014] Preferably, at least one of the legs has at least one transverse bore, and a bulge having a transverse bore receiving a screw and aligned with the transverse bore in the one leg is provided on a side of the other leg facing outwardly. This permits a very quick, cheap and reliable connection since it avoids making a hole in the edge of the sheet, and a screw may be readily inserted with any screw driver. An outer side of the one leg may have a recess of polygonal cross section surrounding the transverse bore for receiving a screw nipple having a projecting part of the same cross section as that of the recess, the bulge being preferably formed on the screw nipple. The polygonal cross section prevents rotation of the screw nipple. This preferred embodiment makes it possible to mass-produce the hanger in one version, and to vary it for different screws and threads by means of the screw nipple by different diameters of the transverse bore.

[0015] An invisible and comfortable movement of the sheet along the guide rail is obtained if the support body has a through bore extending in the direction of the displacement axis for insertion of a traction cord, and this avoids the need for special guide means for the traction cord. The support body may also have a bore extending at an angle and leading to the through bore for reliable entrainment of each hanger element. In this way, a curtain on the hanger may be opened to a targeted extent.

[0016] Assembly and disassembly will be facilitated if the guide element is detachably affixed to the support body. In this way, the sheet may be readily removed, for example for cleaning, without having to remove the guide element from the guide rail or insert it therein.

[0017] The guide element may comprise a gliding body or a pair of rollers journaled on an axle extending perpendicularly to the displacement axis. The number of rollers and axles may be multiplied if very heavy sheets are to be hung. The guide element may have the shape of a ring holder, a cord holder, a hook or an eye.

[0018] To obtain a secure fastening of the sheet to the hanger, the legs may be fastened to the edge of the sheet by bolting, riveting, bonding, welding or sewing. If the sheet is of relatively light weight, it may be sufficient to provide a sliding element slidable over the legs to press the legs towards each other and thus clamp the edge of the sheet therebetween.

[0019] If the guide element has a through bore for receiving the guide rail, the hanger may be readily mounted on the guide rail by sliding it therealong. This through bore may have a round, oval or polygonal cross section.

[0020] If the hanger and the sheet are comprised of a synthetic resin, a cost-effective fastening may be provided by hot air, high-frequency or ultrasound welding. Self-lubricating properties of the synthetic resin facilitate the sliding of the guide element along the guide rail.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0021] The above and other objects, advantages and features of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of now preferred embodiments thereof, in conjunction with the accompanying, somewhat schematic drawing wherein

[0022] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a first embodiment of the hanger according to this invention;

[0023] FIG. 2 is a section along line II-II of FIG. 1;

[0024] FIG. 3 is a plan view of a second embodiment of the hanger;

[0025] FIG. 4 is a section along line IV-IV of FIG. 3;

[0026] FIG. 5 is a plan view of a third embodiment of the hanger;

[0027] FIG. 6 is a section along line VI-VI of FIG. 5;

[0028] FIG. 7 is a plan view of a fourth embodiment of the hanger;

[0029] FIG. 8 is a section along line VIII-VIII of FIG. 7;

[0030] FIG. 9 is a plan view of a fifth embodiment of the hanger;

[0031] FIG. 10 is a section along line X-X of FIG. 9;

[0032] FIG. 11 is a plan view of a sixth embodiment of the hanger;

[0033] FIG. 12 is a section along line XII-XII of FIG. 9;

[0034] FIG. 13 is an exploded plan view of a seventh embodiment of the hanger, with a support body detachably arrangeable on a guide element;

[0035] FIG. 14 is a section along line XIV-XIV of FIG. 13;

[0036] FIG. 15 shows a guide element differing from the one illustrated in FIG. 13;

[0037] FIG. 16 is a sectional view of a support body differing from the one illustrated in FIG. 14;

[0038] FIGS. 17 to 19 show, respectively, a side view, a plan view and and end view of another embodiment of the support body;

[0039] FIGS. 20 and 21 respectively show a plan view and a section along line C-C of yet another embodiment of the support body;

[0040] FIGS. 22 and 23 respectively show a side view and an end view of a screw nipple inserted in the support body illustrated in FIGS. 20 and 21;

[0041] FIGS. 24a, 24b, 25a, 25b, 26a, 26b and 27a, 27b respectively show plan and side views of further embodiments of the hanger;

[0042] FIG. 28 is a plan view of yet another embodiment of the hanger; and

[0043] FIG. 29 illustrates the arrangement of the hanger of FIG. 28 on an insertion tool, partly in section.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0044] Like reference numerals are used for like parts functioning in a like manner in all figures to simplify and shorten the description.

[0045] Referring now to the drawing and first to FIGS. 1 to 8, there is shown hanger 1 for arranging a sheet (not shown) for movement in a plane defined by a displacement axis A. The hanger is arranged substantially symmetrical with respect to the displacement axis and comprises guide element 2 for guidance along a guide member (not shown), and support body 3 connected to the guide element. The support body has two legs 5, 6 arranged to overlap upper edge T of the sheet held therebetween. Means 4 for affixing edge T of the sheet to support body 3 is arrangeable on the support body. Hanger 1 is also arranged substantially symmetrical with respect to a plane extending perpendicular to the displacement axis, as shown at B. As shown in the drawing, legs 5, 6 extend parallel to each other and to displacement axis A.

[0046] As illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 8, legs 5, 6 are integral with support body 3, and they define a receiving groove 9 therebetween for receiving edge T of the sheet, the legs having facing serrated inner sides 10, 11. Depending on the thickness of the sheet, groove 9 may have a width of 1 mm, for example. Illustrated serrated inner sides 10, 11 have projections 13 defining grooves 14 therebetween, the projections on the inner side of one of the legs 5, 6 being aligned with the grooves on the inner side of the other leg. Illustrated support body 3 has a center section 7 in alignment with the guide member, such as a guide rail (not shown), and a wider section 8 from which legs 5, 6 branch off. The above-described structure of the hanger produces a centered load of the weight of the sheet, such as a curtain, on the guide member and on guide element 2.

[0047] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, support body 3 has a through bore 20 for insertion of a traction cord, which extends parallel to displacement axis A. The traction cord may be passed through the support bodies and affixed to an end hanger 1. The support body also has a bore 22 extending at a right angle and leading to through bore 20. A fastening element, such as a screw, may be inserted in bore 22 to fix the position of hanger 1 relative to the traction cord. Legs 5, 6 have transverse bores 21 enabling edge T of the sheet to be screwed or riveted to the legs. The attachment of the sheet may be facilitated by pre-assembling the screws or rivets.

[0048] As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, guide element 2 may comprise a compact gliding body 15 or, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 6, it may have a pair of rollers 16, 19 journaled on an axle 16 extending perpendicularly to the displacement axis, or more than one pair of such rollers journaled on axles 16, 17, as shown in FIG. 5.

[0049] FIGS. 9 to 16 illustrate embodiments wherein guide element 2 (not shown in these figures) is detachably affixed to support body 3. This makes it possible to leave the guide element in the guide member while the support body remains on the sheet when it is removed for cleaning, for example. Also, guide elements may be replaced without removing the hanging sheet.

[0050] In the embodiments of FIGS. 9 to 12, no middle section 7 is provided in support body 3 and legs 5, 6, and a locking recess 23 is provided at the closed end of groove 9. This locking recess receives fastening yoke 23 to which the guide element may be fastened. The guide element may have a hook for engaging the fastening yoke. This embodiment has the advantage that support body 3 may be manufactured in a flat shape and then bent into a U-shape, as illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 12. In this way, the support bodies may be manufactured very economically by using strips of flat stock or simple casting molds.

[0051] Other embodiments of support bodies 3 and guide elements 2 are shown in FIGS. 13 to 16. As shown, locking or clamping means 25 on the guide element and the support body enable the guide element to be detachably affixed to the support body. The illustrated locking or clampimng means comprises a recess 29 in support body 3 and locking of clamping part in guide element 2 for engagement in the recess. In FIG. 13, this clamping part is illustrated as T-shaped end 28 engaging support body 3, the T-shaped end being comprised of a middle section 27 and transverse web 28. As shown in FIG. 14, an end of the support body facing T-shaped end 26 of guide element 2 has recess 30 receiving middle section 27, which is inserted into corresponding locking recess 23 in the direction of arrow X and then pivoted into a vertical position.

[0052] According to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, support body 3 has an annular end facing the guide element, and the annular end has a central slot (not shown) through which locking lugs 31, 32 of guide element 2 may be inserted. The locking lugs are provided on an elastic U-shaped part and have projections for locking them in recess 29.

[0053] In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 17 to 19, leg 5 of support body 3 has transverse bore 21 while hemispherical bulge 33 is aligned with transverse bore 21 on a side of the other leg 6 facing outwardly. Bulge 33 has a transverse bore 34 aligned with transverse bore 21 in leg 5. A wood screw may be inserted in transverse bore 21 and, passing through the edge T of the sheet, may be screwed into transverse bore 34. If transverse bore 34 as an internal thread, a regular screw may be used.

[0054] In the embodiment of FIGS. 20 and 21, transverse bore 21 extends through both legs, and recess 35 of polygonal cross section surrounds the transverse bore. A screw nipple 36 (see also FIGS. 22 and 23) having projecting part 38 of the same cross section as that of recess 35 is inserted in the recess, the bulge being formed on the screw nipple. The screw nipple has a part 37 having an outer diameter of the same dimension as that of transverse bore 21. This arrangement prevents rotation of the screw relative to the support body, and screw nipple 36 enables support body 3 to be adapted to different screw and thread dimensions.

[0055] In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 24 to 27, guide element 2 has through bore 39 for receiving the guide member. This through bore has a circular cross section in FIGS. 24 and 25, and an elongated or oval cross section in FIGS. 26 and 27. It may also have a polygonal cross section, if desired. In all other respects, the structure of guide element 2 in these embodiments may be the same as hereinabove described.

[0056] In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 28 and 29, at least one leg 5, 6 has a positioning hole 40 between transverse bores 21 for screwing or riveting. Tool 41 (for example, a riveting plate) has a threaded or holding pin 43 between dolly bars 42. When threaded pin 43 is screwed out, support body 3 with positioning hole 40 may be securely positioned in tool 41 so that it is not displaced when the egde T of the sheet is inserted between legs 5, 6. Since suport body 3 cannot fall out of tool 41, overhead assembly is possible. Pin 43 secures support body in position against undesired displacement during riveting. Tool 41 may also be utilized with a retracted pin 43 if the support body has no positioning hole. Rivets 44 pre-assembled in transverse bores 21 are shown in FIG. 29, and this further simplifies the assembly.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A hanger for arranging a sheet for movement in a plane defined by a displacement axis and the hanger being arranged substantially symmetrical with respect to the displacement axis, which comprises (a) a guide element for guidance along a guide member, and (b) a support body connected to the guide element, the support body having (1) two legs arranged to overlap an edge of the sheet held therebetween, and (2) means for affixing the edge of the sheet to the support body.

2. The hanger of claim 1, the hanger being arranged substantially symmetrical with respect to a plane extending perpendicular to the displacement axis.

3. The hanger of claim 1, wherein the legs extend parallel to each other and to the displacement axis.

4. The hanger of claim 1, wherein the legs are integral with the support body.

5. The hanger of claim 1, wherein the two legs define a receiving groove therebetween.

6. The hanger of claim 1, wherein the legs have facing serrated inner sides.

7. The hanger of claim 6, wherein the serrated inner sides have projections defining grooves therebetween, the projections on the inner side of one of the legs being aligned with the grooves on the inner side of the other leg.

8. The hanger of claim 1, wherein at least one of the legs has at least one transverse bore, and a bulge aligned with the transverse bore is provided on a side of the other leg facing outwardly.

9. The hanger of claim 8, wherein the bulge has a transverse bore aligned with the transverse bore in the one leg.

10. The hanger of claim 8, wherein an outer side of the one leg has a recess of polygonal cross section surrounding the transverse bore.

11. The hanger of claim 10, further comprising a screw nipple having a projecting part of the same cross section as that of the recess is inserted in the recess, the bulge being formed on the screw nipple.

12. The hanger of claim 1, wherein the support body has a through bore for insertion of a traction cord.

13. The hanger of claim 12, wherein the support body has a bore extending at an angle and leading to the through bore.

14. The hanger of claim 1, wherein the guide element is detachably affixed to the support body.

15. The hanger of claim 14, further comprising locking or clamping means on the guide element and the support body for detachably affixing the guide element to the support body.

16. The hanger of claim 15, wherein the locking or clamping means comprises a recess in the support body and a locking or clamping part in the guide element for engagement in the recess.

17. The hanger of claim 14, wherein the guide element has a T-shaped end engaging an end of the support body.

18. The hanger of claim 14, wherein the guide element has locking lugs.

19. The hanger of claim 1, wherein the guide element comprises a gliding body.

20. The hanger of claim 1, wherein the guide element has a pair of rollers journaled on an axle extending perpendicularly to the displacement axis.

21. The hanger of claim 1, wherein the legs are fastened to the edge of the sheet by bolting, riveting, bonding, welding or sewing.

22. The hanger of claim 1, further comprising a sliding element slidable over the legs to press the legs towards each other.

23. The hanger of claim 1, wherein the guide element has a through bore for receiving the guide member.