Ring device for eyelet or curtain ring

Abstract

The invention relates to an annular device (1) to be inserted into an annular object (2) such as a curtain ring or eyelet. It comprises a first flexible open annular part (3) whose outer edge cooperates with the inner edge of said annular object (2) and whose two opposite first ends comprise first locking means, and a second flexible open annular part (4) whose outer edge cooperates with the inner edge of said annular object (2) and whose two opposite second ends comprise second locking means adapted to cooperate with the first locking means in order to ensure perfect cooperation of the outer edges of each part with the inner edge of said annular object (2). Figure to be published with the abstract: Fig. 1

Description

Title of the invention: Ring device for eyelet or curtain ring

[0001] The present invention relates to an annular device for an annular object such as a curtain ring or eyelet.

[0002] The rings and eyelets, which are annular objects, for curtains are annular in shape and have a generally circular and sometimes oval section, in this case, with more or less pronounced peaks.

[0003] These annular objects, generally made of wood or metal, have a disadvantage when they slide along a curtain rod: they make noise due to the friction of these objects on the rod, a noise that is particularly unbearable if the annular objects and the rod are metallic.

[0004] When such an annular object cooperates with a rod in the form of a hollow profile and having a longitudinal slot facing the ceiling, it has on its inner wall a lug cooperating with a mobile carriage inside this rod. Such a lug, generally made of a plastic material, is relatively fragile: when it is broken, the annular object must be replaced, which requires removing the curtain from the rod.

[0005] One of the aims of the present invention is therefore to provide an annular device to be inserted into an annular object such as a ring or an eyelet for a curtain, which makes it possible to overcome in particular the drawbacks mentioned above.

[0006] Another object of the invention is to provide such an annular device which can be inserted into annular objects of different sizes.

[0007] These aims, as well as others which will appear subsequently, are achieved by an annular device to be inserted into an annular object such as a ring or an eyelet for a curtain, which annular device is characterized, according to the present invention, by the fact that it comprises a first flexible open annular part whose outer edge cooperates with the inner edge of this annular object and whose two first opposite ends comprise first locking means, and a second flexible open annular part whose outer edge cooperates with the inner edge of this annular object and whose two second opposite ends comprise second locking means adapted to cooperate with the first locking means in order to ensure perfect cooperation of the outer edges of each part with the inner edge of the annular object.

[0008] Thus, it is easy to bring the two first opposite ends of the first open annular part together to be able to engage them inside a ring, and then to engage the second part to be able to connect the two together. first opposite ends. It is understood that such an annular device can be adjusted on rings of different sizes.

[0009] Also, the first flexible annular part is elastically deformable. In other words, after the two first opposite ends have been brought together by force to be able to engage the first annular part inside the ring, they then move apart in the opposite direction when they are released, so that the first annular part comes to perfectly match the inner surface of the ring as will be explained in more detail in the remainder of the description.

[0010] Advantageously, the outer edge of the first and second open annular parts have a gutter shape. In other words, the first and second parts have a U-shaped radial section open towards the outside. The first and second parts then assembled define a groove inside which the ring extends.

[0011] Preferably, the first locking means are pins and the second locking means are oblong slots. As will be explained in more detail in the remainder of the description, thanks to the oblong slots of the second locking means, the actual locking can be achieved regardless of the spacing of the pins. The spacing of the pins is conditioned by the internal diameter of the ring. Furthermore, the second annular part is force-engaged so that the pins engage in the oblong slots.

[0012] Advantageously, the pins have a cross section substantially greater than the width of the oblong slot. In addition, and according to a preferred embodiment, it has a polygonal section, for example square.

[0013] Advantageously, the square section of the pins is such that the diagonal of this section is substantially extended parallel to the axis of symmetry of the first part so that the edges of the pins engage in the two opposite edges of the oblong slot.

[0014] Advantageously, said first and second flexible parts are made of a polymer material. They are for example molded together in the same mold.

[0015] Preferably the polymer material is transparent. The polymer is for example polymethyl methacrylate, a polycarbonate or even a polyethylene terephthalate. Non-transparent polymers can also be used, for example polyethylene.

[0016] In the case where the annular object cooperates with a rod whose longitudinal slot is turned towards the ceiling, the inner edge of the first open annular part comprises a lug. The lug then engages in a carriage, movable in translation inside the rod.

[0017] Also, according to a particularly advantageous embodiment variant, the lug has a polygonal section. For example, it has a square or rectangular section so that it can be engaged in the carriage and locked in rotation according to a predefined orientation.

[0018] Advantageously, the lug is locked in rotation so that the first annular part and the second annular part, and consequently the ring inside which they are engaged, is oriented substantially perpendicular to the rod.

[0019] According to another embodiment, the lug has a circular section. In this way, the lug is free to rotate relative to the carriage. Therefore, the ring inside which the two annular parts are engaged, is naturally oriented according to the folds of the curtain veil.

[0020] Advantageously, the lug is located opposite the space delimited by the two first opposite ends of the first open annular part.

[0021] The description which follows, and which is not limiting in any way, must be read in conjunction with the appended figures, among which:

[0022] [Fig.l] is a schematic front view of an annular device for insertion into an annular object such as a curtain ring or eyelet;

[0023] [Fig.2] is a schematic view in axial section along plane II - II of the device annular to be inserted into an annular object according to [Fig.l];

[0024] [Fig.3] is a schematic front view of an element of the annular device which is the subject of [Fig.l];

[0025] [Fig.4A] is a schematic front view of another element of the annular device object of [Fig.l]; and,

[0026] [Fig.4B] is a schematic view of said other element illustrated in [Fig.4A] according to arrow IVB.

[0027] As can be seen in [Fig.l] and [Fig.2], the annular device designated as a whole by the reference 1, is inserted into an annular object 2, a curtain ring according to the present embodiment. The curtain ring is toroidal in shape. Also, it has a circular axial section.

[0028] According to the present invention, the annular device consists of two annular parts: a first open annular part 3 which is shown in detail in [Fig.3] and a second open annular part 4 which is shown in detail in [Fig.4A] and [Fig.4B]. These annular parts 3, 4 are open, that is to say not closed on themselves. In other words, the annular parts 3, 4 are truncated.

[0029] Furthermore, these annular parts 3, 4 have a U-shaped axial section.

[0030] As illustrated in detail in [Fig.3], the first annular part 3 has an angular truncation, for example of 60°.

[0031] It has two first opposite ends 3a and 3b. And on the inner wall of the first annular part 3, the two first opposite ends 3a and 3b respectively have a first spike 5a and a second spike 5b. These two spikes 3a and 3b extend respectively in a substantially radial direction.

[0032] Furthermore, the pins 5a, 5b have a substantially square section and they end respectively with a substantially swollen and chamfered free end 10a, 10b.

[0033] It will be observed that the pins 5a, 5b are oriented in such a way that one of the two diagonals of their square section extends substantially parallel to the axis defined by the first open annular part 3. In this way, the pins 5a, 5b each have two opposite lateral edges.

[0034] As illustrated in [Fig.4A] and [Fig.4B], the second open annular portion 4 extends in an arc and has two opposite second ends 4a and 4b. For example, it extends in an arc at an angle of 100°.

[0035] Also, the two second opposite ends 4a, 4b respectively have on the inner wall of the second open annular part 4, two oblong slots 6a and 6b.

[0036] Advantageously, the two oblong slots 6a, 6b have two opposite edges spaced from each other by a distance substantially less than the distance which extends between the two opposite lateral edges of the pins 5a, 5b.

[0037] The first open annular portion 3 defines a first outer edge 7a illustrated in [Fig.2] and the second open annular portion defines a second outer edge 7b, illustrated in [Fig.4B]. The two outer edges 7a and 7b are gutter-shaped respectively. In this way, the inner edge of the annular object 2 is able to be engaged inside the gutter-shaped outer edges 7a, and 7b.

[0038] The opening between the ends 3a and 3b of the first annular part 3, or the space extending between these two ends 3a, 3b, corresponds to an arc of between 30° and 90°.

[0039] As for the second open annular part 4, itself in the form of an arc whose length is such that the oblong slots 6a and 6b are adapted to cooperate with the pins 5a and 5b respectively. Thus, the second open annular part 4 will be able to be pressed against the inner edge of the annular object 2 and keep the latter in a fixed position in the gutter.

[0040] The pins 5a and 5b and the oblong slots 6a and 6b constitute the first and second locking means respectively.

[0041] The annular device according to the present invention is made of a material having a certain flexibility such as for example a polymer material. The polymer material chosen is nevertheless rigid. For example, polyethylene terephthalate is chosen.

[0042] Indeed, the first open annular part 3 must be able to deform when the second open annular part 4 is put in place so that the gutter 7 is correctly applied against the inner edge of the annular object 2.

[0043] When the annular object must cooperate with a rod whose longitudinal slot is turned towards the ceiling, the inner edge of the first open annular part 4 comprises a lug 8, which is found in [Fig.3].

[0044] The lug 8 will preferably be located opposite the space delimited by the ends 3a and 3b of the first open annular part 4.

[0045] The lug 8 here has a rectangular section so as to be able to engage in a drive carriage, according to a predefined orientation.

[0046] According to another embodiment, not shown, the lug has a circular section so that it can rotate freely relative to the carriage.

[0047] To place the annular device 1 according to the present invention in an annular object 2, such as a ring or a curtain eyelet, the first open annular part 3 is first substantially deformed by bringing its two opposite ends 3a, 3b closer together. As a result, its diameter decreases and it is easily inserted inside the ring 2. The two opposite ends 3a, 3b are then released so that the first open annular part 3 comes to bear on the internal surface of the ring, while the latter is engaged in the first external edge 7a forming a gutter. Thus, the two opposite ends 3a, 3b are more or less spaced apart from each other depending on the internal diameter of the ring 2, leaving a part of the ring free.

[0048] Then, the second open annular part 4 is engaged inside the ring 2, and it is adjusted so that the swollen and chamfered free ends 10a, 10b of the pins 5a and 5b come to bear respectively against the two opposite edges of the oblong slots 6a and 6b, on the intrados side of the second open annular part 4.

[0049] Then, the second open annular part 4 is forced against the ring 2, so that the pins 5a and 5b respectively engage by force through the oblong slots 6a, 6b.

[0050] Thus, on the one hand, the second open annular part 4 comes to bear against the internal surface of the ring part remaining free, while the latter engages in the second external edge 7b forming a gutter. And on the other hand, the two opposite lateral edges of the two pins 5a, 5b come to anchor respectively in the two opposite edges of the two oblong slots 6a, 6b so as to effect a locking. And in addition, the swollen and chamfered free ends 10a, 10b of the pins 5a and 5b, after having passed respectively through oblong slots 6a and 6b, then come to extend opposite, against the two opposite edges of the oblong slots 6a, 6b, respectively on the side of the extrados of the second annular part open 4. Such locking makes it possible to fix the relative positions of the two annular parts 3, 4 and also to fix the diameter of the annular device 1. Also, thanks to the bulges of the bulged and chamfered free ends 10a, 10b of the pins 5a and 5b, accidental unlocking is prevented.

[0051] It will be observed that, taking into account the nature of the material, polymer, the two opposite lateral edges of the two pins 5a, 5b can form grooves in the two opposite edges of the oblong slots 6a, 6b, when the two pins 5a, 5b are forcibly driven through these slots 6a, 6b.

[0052] In this way, the first outer edge 7a of the first open part 3 and the second outer edge 7b of the second open part 4 define a continuous gutter inside which the inner edge of the ring 2 itself continuous is engaged. The annular device 1 is thus made integral with the latter.

[0053] Because the annular object 1 has a certain elasticity, and in particular the first open part 3, this allows it to be inserted into all the annular objects currently marketed, for this type of application.

[0054] For example, the inner diameter of the ring 2 may be between 39 mm and 44 mm. Also, the outer diameter of the annular device is for example 45 mm. The diameter at the bottom of the groove is, according to a preferred embodiment, 40 mm.

[0055] Also, it will be observed that the annular object can also cooperate with a traditional rod without a longitudinal slot. Under these conditions, the inner edge of the first open annular part is without a lug.

Claims

Claims

1. Annular device (1) to be inserted into an annular object (2) such as a curtain ring or eyelet, characterized in that it comprises a first flexible open annular part (3) whose outer edge cooperates with the inner edge of said annular object (2) and whose two opposite first ends (3a, 3b) comprise first locking means, and a second flexible open annular part (4) whose outer edge cooperates with the inner edge of said annular object (2) and whose two opposite second ends (4a, 4b) comprise second locking means adapted to cooperate with the first locking means in order to ensure perfect cooperation of the outer edges of each part with the inner edge of said annular object (2), and in that the outer edge of the first (3) and the second (4) open annular part have a gutter shape (7).

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the first locking means are pins (5a, 5b) and the second locking means are oblong slots (6a, 6b).

3. Device according to claims 1 or 2, characterized in that said first and second flexible parts are made of a polymer material.

4. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the inner edge of the first open annular part (3) comprises a lug (8).

5. Device according to claim 4, characterized in that the lug (8) is located opposite the space delimited by the two first opposite ends (3a, 3b) of the first open annular part (3).

6. Device according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the lug (8) has a polygonal section.

7. Device according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the lug has a circular section.

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