Drapery track system

Abstract

A drapery track system is provided that includes one or more drapes, a motor configured to spin a shaft in both a clockwise direction and a counterclockwise direction, and a track system. The track system includes at least one track length secured to a fixed surface via a track securing mechanism, and a gearing assembly configured to interface with the motor to translate the clockwise spin direction and counterclockwise spin direction to first and second movements, respectively, of the drapes. The track length also includes a carrier channel and a guide wheel channel, and the gearing assembly includes a timing belt configured to be rotated by said motor. The track system further includes at least one track carrier configured to be attached to the timing belt such that the drapes can be moved by the track carrier. The track carrier includes a plurality of independently mounted track carrier wheel assemblies configured to rotate independently of each other within the carrier channel such that if one of the independently mounted wheel assemblies binds, the remaining independently mounted wheel assemblies can rotate freely. The track carrier further includes at least one guide wheel assembly located at a first end of the track carrier, the guide wheel assembly configured to freely rotate within the guide wheel channel of the track length. The system further includes a drape truck assembly configured to be removably secured to the drapes, and which includes at least two independently rotating truck wheels configured to freely rotate within the carrier channel of the track length such that the one or more drapes can be moved by the motor.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]1. Technical Field[0002]Aspects of the embodiments relate to an integrated drapery and drapery track system that includes drapery controls, drapery tracks, and drapery adjustment devices for use in home or commercial applications.[0003]2. Background Art[0004]As can be appreciated by those of skill in the art, drapery systems for use in residential and commercial settings have made significant improvements in recent years. A drapery system will typically consist of a track, track carriers (for holding the drapes to the track), and some mechanism for moving the drapes back and forth along the track. The track is mounted either to a wall, or ceiling, and the mechanism for moving the drapes can be as simple as a pull cord-pulley system. Many people are probably familiar with the pull cord-pulley system, in which a person can pull the cord in one direction to move the drapes one way, and pull the cord in a different direction to reverse the movement of th...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

This patent is about a drapery track system that allows for smooth movement of drapes using a motor and gearing assembly. The track system includes a track carrier that can move independently, and a drape truck assembly with wheels that can move within the track. The track carrier also has two guide wheels that work together to prevent binding and ensure smooth movement. The carrier channel has guides to hold the track carrier wheel assemblies in place, preventing lateral movement. Overall, this system allows for smooth and efficient movement of drapes.

Problems solved by technology

It is possible that either or both of the ceiling and floor will not be perfectly level, and this will become evident once the drapery fabric panels are hung from the track.

This would require taking the entire track down and creating shims, which is not only time consuming, and thus adds to the expense of the installation, but also leads to the possibility of damaging the drapery system and / or ceiling / wall.

If the person who made the fabric panels is not present, another individual may not want to do this for fear of damaging the expensive drape material, and it can be just as difficult and expensive to accomplish as shimming the tracks.

As those of skill in the art can appreciate, neither solution is easy to implement, and therefore are not very desirable to do.

In addition to the problems of securing the drapery track to a non-level ceiling, or over a non-level floor, the simple act of attaching the drapery track to the ceiling (or wall) can be difficult in and of itself.

While this has met with some limited success in avoiding binding or catching of different moving components, installation can be difficult, and requires additional parts, which increases the expense thereof.

In addition to the problems of securing the track to the ceiling to avoid binding and catching of different moving components, there are problems associated with track installation in some circumstances in regard to alignment between track components.

Because of tolerances in the bracket and track, there can be a significant amount of misalignment.

This misalignment manifests itself in noise and / or binding of moving components that either or both the homeowner or commercial user will hear when the tracker carrier or truck pass through the splice.

Even if movement is not inhibited or prevented, the noise as the track carrier and trucks pass over the splice, which in an automated system could be several times a day, can be annoying.

However, it has been found that triangular striations have sharp edges that can cause premature wear on the timing belt.

This leads to premature failures of the timing belts, which causes a significant amount of frustration and some expense to the homeowners and commercial users of such sophisticated drapery systems.

However, existing solid, hard plastic wheels have not proven to be effective in reducing noise to acceptable levels to ensure quiet operation, nor have they significantly minimized binding problems.

However, none of these prior art solutions have solved the problems of excess noise or binding of drapery systems.

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